'Tis the season...to travel safely

With the holiday season in full swing, safety might not be your first thought. But, when you travel for the holidays, it should be. Whether you plan to fly, drive, or take a bus, we've got some tips to help you get where you're going safely.

For bus travelers, I can't recommend more strongly that you Look Before You Book with our SaferBus app and website from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. FMCSA’s SaferBus app helps travelers consider safety as well as price when selecting a bus company.  Even if you've already purchased a ticket, you want to know your carrier's safety history before you board the bus.

SaferBus offers a user-friendly view of a bus line’s record, including its operating authority, insurance status, and safety performance—all in the palm of your hand or on a single computer screen.

The free app is available for easy download via Apple's iTunes store and links directly to FMCSA’s database with information on more than 46,000 passenger companies. Not ready for the iOS app? All of these resources are available online at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

 

Our Aviation Consumer Protection Division wants to help you fly right this season, so if you're traveling by air, please visit their Travel Tips & Publications site. There you'll find information for getting the lowest fare, avoiding baggage problems, and reducing the likelihood of other air travel complications.

For example, a departure early in the day is less likely to be delayed than a later flight, due to ripple effects throughout the day. Making sure to leave plenty of time between connecting flights can also help you avoid missed connections. And checking in early is a good way to avoid getting involuntarily bumped.

If you're driving on our nation's highways, we've also got some useful guidelines to protect you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road:

• Always buckle up; 
• Never drive drunk;
• Stay alert to winter weather and fast-changing road conditions;
• Respect all railroad crossing indicators; and,
• Stay focused by putting your electronic devices out of reach so you won't text or talk on a cell phone behind the wheel.

We at DOT wish everyone safe travels this season. But, should you meet with unexpected developments like air travel problems or an unsafe bus line, please don't hesitate to let us know:

For bus service and safety complaints, please visit FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database.
For air travel safety complaints, please contact your Flight Standards District Office, which you can find on the FAA's FSDO contact page.
For air travel service complaints, please use our Aviation Consumer Protection Division's online complaint form.

And remember, if your baggage is mishandled or you are involuntarily bumped, you could be entitled to increased compensation thanks to recent consumer protection rules. Read our Aviation Consumer Protection Division's "Fly Rights" to learn more.

Wherever you spend your holidays, here's to a safe and healthy season for you and your family.