The AAA is predicting this to be the highest single year increase in Thanksgiving travel since 2005, with nearly 2.2 million Ohioans traveling between Wednesday and Sunday. This will create congested roadways, even if severe weather conditions don't come into play. With even more people than ever taking to the roads instead of the air for holiday travel, we thought it might be a good time to remind employers and drivers of some practical driving tips, including ourselves.

The leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S. is vehicle crashes, costing employers around $60 billion each year in combined medical expenses, legal costs, property damage and lost productivity. This fact gave us pause, as we're sure it does you. With that in mind, employers can provide their employees with just a few tips that might help reduce accidents, and these same tips are good for the non-working driver as well.

1. Buckle up and avoid impaired driving.

It's a known fact that seat belts save lives. Establish a policy that seat belts must always be used in business driving, and for your personal safety, always buckle up and encourage your riders to do the same. It goes without being said that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases accident probability. As an employer, consider a zero tolerance policy and as a driver just don't do it.

2.   Avoid driving in inclement weather.