SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The roads will get busier as the week leading to the Christmas holiday continues, and the roads are expected to get more dangerous with rain in the forecast Thursday night and all day Friday.
Annlleyn Venegas, Senior Public Relations Specialist at AAA, said 8.3 million Southern Californians will be driving to their holiday destinations — a 3 percent increase from 2022.
AAA is also expecting a busy week with roadside assistance calls.
"This year, AAA expects to respond to more than 200,000 calls for help," Venegas said. "This is just in Southern California over the year-end holiday travel period, which is why we're just asking drivers to make sure that their vehicle maintenance is up to date, because the two main reasons why drivers are going to be stranded are because they have a flat tire or because of a dead battery."
AAA recommends the following vehicle maintenance checks:
- Tires
- Battery
- Headlights
- Windshield Wipers
- Oil
ABC 10News checked with the TBH Auto Repairs shop in El Cajon for expert advice on a 'Trip Check'.
Benjamin Hart, owner, said when it comes to tires, don't just check the tire pressure, but also make sure there's enough tread on them. With a penny, the tread should be good if it comes up to President Lincoln's neck. He also said to make sure there is air in the spare tire.
Hart said with checking the battery, the charge should be at 12.6.
San Diegans also don't have to go to a shop to get their batteries checked. Hart said going to a store like Auto Zone will be able to check the charge on batteries, and the store will install new ones purchased there for free.
Hart also said to keep a flashlight in the car at all times.
"Make sure you have a good light in your car, a flashlight. You don't want to use you cell phone light, especially if you're in emergency situation because you need you cellphone to make calls," Hart said.
Hart said the coolant and accessory drive belts are also good to check before long drives.
"Now if it cracks, and nobody takes a look at it, and it pops while you're on the road, you're on the side of the road," Hart said.
Hart adds that cars are like humans. Human endurance is different when walking versus sprinting. Same with cars. The car will drive differently, and the parts will handle the drive differently, going short distance versus long distance.
If San Diegans cannot avoid driving through the rain Thursday night into Friday, AAA recommends the following tips:
- Keep headlights and interior lights on
- Keep both hands on the wheel
- Reduce speed and break gently
- Leave three car lengths between car ahead and yours
- Turn off cruise control
If the roads feel unsafe because of heavy rain, AAA said to pull over to a safe spot and let the storm to pass. If that's not an option, Venegas said just slow down, reduce speed, and turn the interior lights on."
Venegas said Saturday, Dec. 23, is expected to be the busiest day of the holiday travel week, so the best times for drivers to hit the road is before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to avoid heavy traffic.
