Holiday Driving: Keep Your Eyes on the Road for Safety

Almost 84 million people are expected to hit the road this holiday season, that's the second highest number of drivers in the past decade according to . With the rush for last minute gifts and holiday preparations, drivers could be more distracted than usual, which could be dangerous.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one out of six fatal crashes and fatalities involved a distracted driver.

“There is a growing concern about distracted driving and its impact on safe driving," said Michele Harris, director of AAA's Traffic Safety Culture.

“Every year, nearly 40,000 people die on our nation’s roadways, and that is about the same number as if a 727 jet crashed every single day of the year. If this were to ever be a reality, people would demand that something be done about it,” said Harris.

According to AAA, nearly 80 percent of all crashes involve some form of driver inattention. AAA's Traffic Safety Foundation has the following tips to manage distractions this holiday season-

• Turn it Off. If you need to make a call on your cell phone, pull over to a safe area first.
• Groom at Home. Shaving and applying make-up are best done prior to getting in the car.
• Plan Ahead. Program GPS systems and review maps and directions before you start to drive.
• Keep the Kids Safe. Pull over to a safe location to address situations with your children in the car.
• Focus on the Task at Hand. Refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, reading and any other activity that takes your hands, mind and eyes off the road.