Holiday travel safety tips with the Glasgow Police Department

GLASGOW, Ky. – During busy holiday weekends, most people travel to see loved ones, and hitting the road to celebrate America’s 250th birthday is a common theme that can lead to distractions, according to Glasgow police officers.

Officer Mathew Rishkofski with the Glasgow Police Department says, “You know, the holidays are a stressful time as it is. And then people are trying to remind you not to forget whatever you’re going to the store for, to get something else to add to the list. Being in a rush to get where they’re going. Being on their phone because their wife, their husband, or significant others message them, ‘don’t forget the hot dog bun.’ Something silly like that. Just slow down, take a breath.”

There are many distractions on and off the road, but concentrating on one thing at a time reduces the risk of accidents.

Rishkofski says, “Pay attention to what you’re doing. I know there’s going to be fireworks going off in people’s backyards or out in fields, so the main focus is just pay attention to what’s on the road, not what’s going on around you.”

Whether you’re driving on a busy city street or a secluded back road, being cautious while driving doesn’t just help you. It could save a life.

He says, “You’re driving a vehicle that weighs about 2,000 pounds. So when you’re operating that vehicle on the roadway, you want to make sure that you’re under proper control so that if someone else is stopping in front of you, you’re aware of your surroundings, so you can stop in time to avoid any collisions or people getting hurt.”

If you plan to travel on the roads during this busy holiday weekend, law enforcement officers want you to be extra cautious to ensure everyone’s safety.