Top 7 Road Safety Tips Before You Start Your Festive Drive

#HarEkDriveZarroriHotiHai 

Ah! The festive season! The time of year when the streets light up with twinkling lights, the smells of sweets and incense fill our homes, and there’s an air of excitement in the atmosphere. And yes, for most of us, the celebrations really kick off when we hit the road – bags packed, music playlists prepped, and our GPS pre-set to “home.”

But here’s a little fact over the years: Har Ek Drive Zaroori Hoti Hai. Every drive connects you with family, with friends, with social tradition, and with celebration. And quite frankly, nothing, not traffic, not a flat tire, or even a missed turn, should impede any of that.

So, before you hit the road, here are my 7 must follow tips for road safety during your festive drive!

1. Give Your Car a Quick Festive Health Check

Before heading out, think of your car as a guest at your Diwali party. Would you invite someone unkempt? Nope. Treat your car with the same love:

• Tires: Inspect for correct air pressure and signs of wear and tear. I once let a small nail in my tire slip – the roadside problem that caused was nothing short of dramatic, and I wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy.
• Brakes: If your brakes are squeaking, you may want to have them fixed. You don’t want to be sweating at the last minute when you panic near a toll on the freeway.
• Lights & Flashers: Your car has a personality, and it’s important that it stays bright and polite.
• Fluids: Oil, coolant, brake fluid, or whatever you need to top off. A little effort now saves hours later down the line.

Tip: Pack a small emergency kit with first aid, torch, and jumper cables. Trust me, it’s like carrying an extra layer of calm on chaotic roads.

2. Plan Your Journey, But Stay Flexible

I’ve learned the hard way: no matter how much you plan, the festival traffic gods have their own sense of humor. But a little planning goes a long way:

• Check live traffic updates and Google Maps.
• Mark alternate routes markets, temple processions, and festival parades can block roads suddenly.
• Schedule breaks. I swear, even 10 minutes of stretching and chai makes a huge difference on long drives.

Imagine this: It’s Diwali eve, and you’re driving from Pune to Kolhapur. You planned 5 hours, but the Pune expressway is a slow crawl because everyone decided to leave at the same time. Being flexible means less stress and fewer honking duels.

3. Don’t Mix Celebrations with Driving

Festivals = happiness. Happiness = sweets,and  sweets sometimes = drinks. But here’s the golden rule: driving and alcohol don’t mix.

Even one drink is risky. Taking it from someone who’s had a close call once, steering with even a slightly fuzzy head is not worth it.

Options?

• Designate a driver.
• Take a cab or ride-sharing app.
• Or celebrate at home first and drive after you’re fully sober.

Your family will thank you for showing up alive, not for showing up “on time-ish.”

4. Buckle Up, Every Seat Counts

Let’s be honest, seatbelts are like that one festival ritual we always know we should follow but sometimes skip. Front seat? Absolutely. Back seat? You bet. Kids? Car seats, not laps.

I remember once traveling with cousins, half the car unbuckled, full of chatter. A sudden pothole, and we all got a sharp reminder: seatbelts are life insurance in fabric form.

So buckle up, everyone. Trust me, it makes the journey less scary and the memories sweeter.

5. Respect Speed Limits

Festive energy can make us impatient: “Come on, just a bit faster, we will make it!” I’ve certainly done that. I almost regretted doing it.

Driving over the speed limit can ruin everything from a small injury to a major accident. So be calm while driving. A better way to think about this is your family would rather you be late than never make it.

If your vehicle has cruise control, use it. Speed has its fun but kills, literally.

6. Don’t Let Your Phone Steal Your Attention

We all know that feeling: notifications pinging, relatives asking, “Where are you?” and WhatsApp groups blowing up with memes. But the road isn’t a place for multitasking.

• Urgent calls? Use hands-free.
• Texting? Pull over, seriously.
• GPS voice commands are helpful, but never let them distract you from actual traffic.

Remember: replying “I’m on my way!” can wait. Your life cannot.

7. Carry Your Documents and Insurance

Nothing kills festive vibes like being stopped for missing documents. Before you drive:

• Keep your driver’s license, RC, insurance, and pollution certificate ready at hand or saved on your smartphone. Also, check challan status online before you leave — an unpaid fine can easily spoil your festive mood mid-journey.
• Most of these are available in digital formats now, but paper copies are good to have for when things go wrong.
• If your insurance is close to expiry, feel free to renew it early. A valid assurance is more than a piece of paper or electronic record, as it serves as your safety net in case something goes sideways.

Story: Last Diwali, a friend skipped checking her insurance. A minor scratch turned into a long hassle with police and paperwork. Don’t let that be you.

8. Beyond Rules: Drive with Responsibility

Road safety is more than rules; it’s a mindset. Festivals are about togetherness, but remember: roads are shared.

• Yield to ambulances.
• Don’t honk excessively.
• Respect traffic police they’re working while we celebrate.

Small actions make big differences. A little patience, kindness, and awareness can make your festive drive memorable for all the right reasons.

Conclusion

Festivals are more than just lights and sweets; they are about going back home or meeting the people you love, and they’re about maintaining tradition too. Honestly, every moment of a holiday travel journey matters. Each step is not simply distance: it is one step closer to laughter, and stories, and warm family hugs.

So, this holiday travel season, let’s focus on all of our future holiday drives being calm, safe, and worry-free! Har Ek Drive Zaroori Hoti Hai is a CarInfo’s campaign line but also a gentle reminder to keep in mind that the journey should be a celebration! 

Please share these reminders with your friends and your family. Because in the end, holiday travel should not simply be about how many places you could get to and the end destination. A holiday drive should be about getting to your destination safely and having the opportunity of creating memories that will last long after the lights go out.

#KyukiHarEkDriveZarooriHotiHai