Safe road trips are fun. The safest road trip indeed has an element of risks, but it should be fun, which often comes with oddball tourist traps.
Fortunately, we can minimize these risks through some planning. Keep these safety tips in mind when planning your next road trip to have fun and avoid very common pitfalls:
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1. Take Your Car for a Checkup
Pre-trip vehicle inspections are the best way to address and catch potential mechanical issues that can disrupt your road trip or compromise your family’s safety. According to experts at D Wells Auto, you should examine your car’s fluids, including the coolant and engine oil.
In addition, you need to examine the functionality of various parts, like wiper blades, indicators, headlights, and brakes, to ensure your peace of mind, swift responsiveness, and optimal visibility throughout the trip.
2. Get Enough Rest
Driving your car while feeling tired is very dangerous. Each year, drowsy drivers cause fatal vehicle accidents. This is because when your eyelids droop, your capability to reach fat, keep the vehicle in the right lane, and make a sound decision becomes difficult.
You might think that you are not too tired to drive your car responsibly, but the truth is that being awake for 15 hours and driving can make your brain work like someone with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.05%. If you tire after a few miles, trade-off with another refreshed person, talk with the passengers to keep you alert, or make several stops to stretch a little.
3. Invest in Quality Safety Gear
Quality safety gear makes driving experiences better. One important piece of gear to invest in is a dash camera. With one, you can drive your car smart and capture footage in case of a dispute or accident.
Dash cameras also record the street ahead and screen your car while parked, providing insurance against robbery and defacement. With highlights like G-sensor and loop recording, dash cameras are important resources for upgrading security.
4. Carry Important Documents
To prevent unpleasant surprises, ensure you carry your car registration, driver’s license, and auto insurance certificate. You should avoid keeping those documents in a glove box to ensure they are accessible. If you already have roadside assistance, write down the number or carry the card to contact the service whenever you need help.
5. Use GPS
Most drivers use Google Maps to plan their trips. Spending many hours on the road makes it easy for them to make a wrong turn. Using GPS can be helpful to enable drivers to see which sites are there along the way. If you can, download a GPS map to help you when there is no phone service.
In conclusion, we all know the importance of staying safe on the road. Unfortunately, with our busy routines, we forget the basic procedures of staying safe. Whether or not you’re an experienced driver, take time to jog your memory and use these tips to stay safe throughout the trip.