If you’re planning a well-deserved vacation, and you’re thinking of adding a road trip into the mix of things, then you’ll need to consider safe driving techniques and vehicle maintenance and prepare thoroughly.
Road trips are a popular travel method that most choose either because they enjoy the reviving scenery of ‘the road less traveled’ or because it might be cheaper than other methods. Nevertheless, road accidents are a prominent worldwide concern.
Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers are there for you to help recover the costs if you have been in a road accident, and we’ve listed five fundamental safe driving tips so you can indulge in the wide-open road with some peace of mind.
Prioritize Vehicle Maintenance And Repairs
Before departing on your adventure, it’s best to book your car for a service. Auto mechanics will check the brake system, filters, tires, wheel alignment, and other essentials during the service. If they notice anything that needs fixing or replacing, it will get done immediately. This will ensure you leave in a vehicle that’s safe to drive and unlikely to leave you stranded by the roadside as well.
Plan Your Route
It’s essential to plan a route for a road trip, even if you are using a navigating system. You’ll need to know if you have chosen a route that allows enough stop points along the way; this is essential for fuel fill-ups and refreshment breaks.
Never Avoid A Break
As mentioned, you’ll need to plan your route so that you can stop along the way to rest and freshen up. Even if you feel focused enough to keep driving, it’s still essential to take a break every 2 hours. In addition, you should avoid driving for a total of 8-10 hours per day. So, if your road trip spans over more than one day, be sure to limit your distance accordingly.
Fatigued driving is concerning as a leading cause of road accidents, which is why stops are critical when driving long distances.
Consider The Weather
It’s never wise to keep driving if it starts storming or hailing. If the weather conditions become extreme, it’s always wise to pull over where it’s safe to do so and wait out the weather.
Fortunately, it’s often plausible to use weather apps to predict the days’ conditions. Considering the weather when planning your route should be a priority. Moreover, if you are driving in winter, follow safe driving tips for cold seasons, such as allowing your vehicle to defrost, checking tires, and driving slower.
Pack For Roadside Emergencies
Every vehicle should have a spare tire beneath the boot. In addition, you’ll need a wheel spanner, a jack, spanners, and other tool essentials. Beyond this, a first aid kit, radiator water, 5 liters of emergency fuel, and oil are also handy to keep in your vehicle when traveling long distances.
Being a safe driver often goes beyond how you drive. If you don’t have tools and emergency essentials, you could find yourself stranded by the roadside. Furthermore, when you drive is also essential when considering that bad weather also contributes to road accident numbers.
