The Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Turnpike Authority and the Kansas Department of Transportation are urging travelers to buckle up and drive safely when they head out for Thanksgiving holiday trips.

AAA Kansas is expecting around 862,000 people in the state to travel 50 miles or more from home during the weekend.

Law enforcement officers will have an increased presence over the holiday weekend and they will be focusing on traffic safety.

AAA is urging Kansans to avoid drinking and driving for the holiday weekend:

• Remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Don’t risk it.
• Never let friends or family drive if they are impaired.
• Always buckle up. It offers your best chance of survival in a crash.
• If you suspect that another motorist is impaired, contact law enforcement.
• Designate a safe and sober driver or download a ride-share app before the celebrating begins.
• If you don’t have a designated driver, plan to call a cab or a ride-share service or use public transportation.
• Get sober before getting behind the wheel. Only time works―not coffee nor cold showers. It takes about 1 hour to burn off an average drink. Five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1½ ounces of liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol.
• If you’re hosting a holiday party, offer festive non-alcoholic drink options for your guests and those serving as designated drivers. Be responsible and take action to make sure guests get home safely. Prepare to call taxis or rideshares, provide sleeping accommodations, or — if you’re sober — drive guests home yourself.

• Battery: Clean any corrosion from battery posts and cable connections and wash all surfaces with battery terminal cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water. Have the battery checked by a professional to ensure it is strong enough to face cold weather. Be aware that batteries typically last 3-5 years, so if yours is approaching or within that age range, it may not have the power for cold-weather starts.  AAA members can request a visit from a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary. AAA Approved Auto Repair shops can also test and replace weak batteries.
• Tires: Examine tires for tread depth, uneven wearing and cupping. Check tire pressures once a month. For every 10 degrees the temperature drops, tires can lose a pound of pressure. Don’t forget the spare tire.
• Engine: Have any engine drivability problems corrected at a good repair shop. Symptoms like hard starts, rough idling, stalling or diminished power could signal a problem that would be exacerbated by cold weather. Engine hoses and belts should be inspected for wear or cracking.
• Fluids: Important system fluids such as engine coolant/anti-freeze, transmission and brake fluid should be checked and changed at recommended intervals.
• Exhaust: Have your mechanic check the exhaust system for leaks and look for any holes in the trunk and floorboards.
• Brakes: Inspect brakes as recommended in your owner’s manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, pulling, noises while braking or longer stopping distance. Correct minor brake problems promptly.
• Wipers: Replace worn windshield-wiper blades. Purchase one-piece beam-type or rubber-clad “winter” blades to fight snow and ice build-up. Use cold-weather windshield washer solvent and carry an ice-scraper.
• Lights: Inspect all lights and bulbs and replace burned out bulbs. Clean road grime or clouding from all lenses.