The holiday travel rush is in full swing and although there are quite a few problems in the rest of the country, things are going pretty smoothly here in the Valley.

Those traveling by plane, car, train, and bus to most destinations in California should expect traffic and crowds, but no major weather delays.

AAA estimates more than 8.6 million Californians will travel 50 miles or more from their homes to celebrate the holidays.

If you are planning a trip by car, AAA has some tips on how to stay safe on the roads:

Winterizing Your Car:
Check the systems. Make sure your brakes, defroster, heater, exhaust system and lights work properly. Change the blades on your wipers and check the antifreeze level.

Inspect the tires. Under-inflated tires can be dangerous and may suffer damage. The air pressure in your tires will decrease 1-2psi for every 10 degree drop.

Keep a full gas tank. In winter it may become necessary to change routes, idle for long periods of time, travel slowly or turn around in a storm. A full gas tank allows you to do these maneuvers without worrying about running out of fuel.

Keep the windshield and windows clear. Have a snow brush and ice scraper in the vehicle. Clean off the roof of the vehicle and the windows. Use the car's defroster or a clean cloth to defog the inside of the windows.

Carry an emergency kit. Items to include in the kit are a flashlight, a first-aid kit, flares or emergency triangles, extra window washer fluid, a tool kit, a blanket or sleeping bag, gloves, paper towels, drinking water and extra food.

Driving with Caution:

Adjust your speed for the weather. SLOW DOWN. Keep in mind that your vehicle needs at least three times more distance to stop on slick roads.

Increase your following distance. To safely stop, a vehicle needs a minimum of four to eight seconds between it and the vehicle in front.

Be alert. Learn to read road conditions to anticipate a hazard in time to react safely. Bridges, overpasses and shaded spots pose potential dangers because ice often forms first in these areas.

Steer clear of collisions. Learn to take evasive action by steering around a situation to avoid collisions. Steering is preferred to braking at speeds above 25 mph because less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake.

Recognize hydroplaning hazards. To reduce the chances of hydroplaning slow down, avoid hard braking or sharp turns, drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you and increase your following distance.

AAA will once again provide its Tipsy Tow program, offering a free ride home to motorists who feel they have had too much to drink in order to drive home safely. From 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 24th until 6 a.m. Thursday, December 25th, members as well as non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 for a free tow home of up to five miles. Just tell the AAA operator, "I need a Tipsy Tow," and the truck will be on its way.

Click on the video link to watch the story.