One of my favorite winter activities is driving around my city, looking for the best holiday light displays. I recently visited my local drive-thru light display and had a blast. We tuned into the accompanying radio station and drove slowly through the entrance of the drive-thru. That’s where we saw the sign instructing drivers to drive slowly and turn off their headlights, and I was reminded of the first time I drove through a light display myself.
As a brand new driver, I was nervous but excited to get to drive my siblings through our favorite holiday light display. I tuned into the radio station and hyped myself up for the driving task ahead of me. As I reached to switch off my headlights, I realized something: I had never tried to turn off the automatic headlights in the vehicle I was driving. It was newer than the vehicle I had learned to drive in the year before, and I wasn’t used to it yet.
I didn’t want to hold up the other visitors, so I nervously started fumbling with the headlight switches. I turned the low-beams off with ease, but the daytime running lights threw me for a loop. I looked at my brother in the passenger seat for help. He pointed at the parking brake with a smile. Of course, I thought, feeling a little silly as I engaged the parking brake and tried turning off my headlights once again. I was relieved when the daytime running lights switched off and we were finally able to enter the drive-thru light display.
I certainly learned my lesson that day, and I hope you can learn from my mistake! Use our guide to holiday light displays to get the most out of your drive-thru light display experience!
1. Choose your destination and plan ahead.
There are an abundance of drive-thru holiday light displays, many of which are only available to those who purchase tickets. Do your research before you go. Look at different route options and check for traffic or road closures.
2. Review the venue rules and follow the law.
It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the venue’s rules and guidelines to make sure it’s a smooth and enjoyable experience for all. Reviewing the rules beforehand can help you avoid unexpected hazards. Make note of the venue’s policies regarding vehicle size, pet restrictions, and their food and beverage policy.
Additionally, make sure you’re following the law on your way to and from the venue. All passengers should be buckled up--it may be tempting to cram extra passengers in the vehicle to get the most out of your drive-thru ticket, but you cannot have more passengers than there are seatbelts.
If your drive-thru venue allows alcoholic beverages, be extremely careful and follow your state’s open container laws. The driver of the vehicle should not consume alcohol under any circumstances.
3. Drive slowly and give others space.
Part of the fun of drive-thru light displays is the leisurely pace at which vehicles move along. Do not try to pass other drivers, and leave ample room between your vehicle and the one in front of you. You should have enough room to coast along the drive-thru rather than riding the brakes, which can damage your vehicle over time.
4. Understand your vehicle’s headlights.
As we mentioned, some people (*ahem*) may not be as familiar with their vehicle’s headlight settings as they should be! Make sure you know how to turn off your vehicle’s headlights. You’ll most likely be instructed to turn off your headlights throughout the drive-thru display. Keeping your headlights on when instructed otherwise not only disrupts the experience for others, it would be super dangerous for anyone to accidentally look directly into your headlights (especially your high-beams!). If you’re not sure how to turn off your vehicle’s headlights, you should look in your owner’s manual before your trip to the drive-thru light display.
DO NOT forget to turn your headlights back on as you leave the drive-thru venue!
5. Do not exit your vehicle unless you are specifically instructed to do so by the venue staff.
Our final tip is a very important one: stay in your vehicle at all times! Most drive-thru light displays will instruct visitors to stay in their vehicle and to remain in motion throughout the display. Exiting your vehicle within the drive-thru is dangerous for several reasons. Other drivers are more than likely paying attention to the lights, not looking for pedestrians. Plus, when their headlights are off, there’s a slim chance they would see you in time to avoid you.
We hope you have a magical holiday season. If you visit a drive-thru light display this year, have lots of fun and stay safe!
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