At the end of the month, a combination of Black Friday promotions, year-end bonuses, and a long weekend could lead to increased risks on the roads. The Traffic Police have issued several recommendations to help prevent accidents during this period, focusing particularly on avoiding vehicle overloading.
Martín Sánchez Agüero, deputy director of the Traffic Police, emphasized the importance of not placing objects outside the vehicle’s cabin that could pose a danger to others or risk becoming detached. He stated, “We should not place objects outside the vehicle’s cabin that could represent a risk of harm to other people or that may come loose.”
Sánchez highlighted scenarios where people transport large items bought during sales events. For example, carrying a refrigerator in the trunk of a sedan so that most of it sticks out is unsafe. Similarly, passengers on motorcycles holding large boxes such as television sets can face instability due to wind resistance.
He also warned about sharp or protruding items causing injuries to cyclists, pedestrians, or motorcyclists and potentially damaging other vehicles.
For those planning trips during the long weekend, Sánchez advised against loading excessive items onto car roofs as they might fall onto the road and cause accidents. Overloading can also create instability from excess weight or wind resistance from objects like coolers and chairs.
It is important not to exceed the maximum passenger capacity in vehicles. Every occupant must wear a seatbelt or use an appropriate child restraint device based on age, height, and weight. Sánchez cautioned against removing child seats just to fit more passengers: “Unfortunately, some people believe that if they are on vacation there are no accidents; they think that if it is Christmas night there are no accidents; they think that if it is December 31 there are no accidents. Accidents do not go on vacation and, on the contrary, may increase precisely because of reckless behavior by some drivers, such as removing the baby seat from the vehicle so more people can fit in the car and that is very dangerous.”
Those buying Christmas trees this weekend should follow similar guidelines for transporting them: ensure nothing protrudes dangerously from vehicles; do not block lights or license plates; maintain clear visibility through mirrors; attach a red flag at either end if something extends beyond the vehicle; and make sure nothing drags along the road.
Additional advice includes getting enough sleep before traveling and making stops every two hours to avoid “highway hypnosis,” where drivers may lose focus while believing they remain fully alert behind the wheel.
Drivers should always use seatbelts or proper child restraints. Setting navigation destinations before starting out—rather than while driving—can help minimize distractions. Having another licensed driver in the car who can take over if needed adds safety.
Respecting speed limits, avoiding improper overtaking maneuvers, and paying attention to warning signs—such as those indicating animal crossings—are also recommended steps for safer travel during busy periods.
