Are you getting ready to hit the road for a multi-day road trip adventure? Make sure that your trip is fun and safe, whether you’re going alone or with your family, with these top road trip safety tips.
Buckle Up
This might sound simple, but putting your seatbelt on can save your life. Car accidents are the number one cause of death in those aged between 1 and 54 in America. By wearing a seatbelt, you can cut the risk of being injured or killed in an accident in half. If you don’t wear your belt and are involved in an accident, a car accident lawyer will have a much harder time helping you too, even if you weren’t at fault.
Give Your Car A Once- Over
Is your car ready for the road? Make sure it is by making an appointment at your local garage or check it over yourself. Check the tire pressure, tread levels, oil levels, wiper blades, and fluid levels. It if is time for an oil change, get one. If you need to top up your fluids, do it. If you need to patch or replace a tire, don’t skimp on it. It is important that is anything looks odd, you get it fixed before you drive.
Prep for your trip with a few essentials, including:
- Oil level dip stick
- Tire pressure gauge
- Wiper blades
- Wiper fluid
Get Some Rest
Driving while you’re tired is very dangerous. Tired drivers cause a lot of car accidents. This is because your ability to react quickly, make sound decisions, and keep your car in the correct lane drops.
You might not think that you’re too tired to drive responsibly, but driving after being awake for a long time causes your brain to function in a similar way to someone who has been drinking. You wouldn’t drive drunk, so don’t drive tired either.
It’s not only a lack of sleep that can make you drowsy when you drive. Taking medication can make you tired too, as can boredom. If you find that you’re getting more tired as your drive, swap the driving responsibility for someone who is more refreshed, stop to stretch your legs, keep the window down, or talk to your passengers to keep yourself alert and awake. The best option is to sleep, so if you can, stop for a break, get some rest, and then carry on driving.
Have Your GPS Handy And Bring Back-Up Directions
Knowing where you’re going is important. If you get lost, you might end up somewhere unsafe or stuck in unsuitable driving conditions. By mapping out your route before you go and keeping your GPS on hand, you can stay on track for the whole journey.
Another good idea is to take some screenshots or print out your directions, in case your phone battery dies or you lose signal. This means you won’t lose sight of where you are going, even if technology lets you down.
