Safety Tips When Going On A Road Trip With Your Family
A family road trip provides an excellent way to not only bond but also create fresh memories. Each mile driven offers a wide range of opportunities and memories, most of which you, your spouse, or the kids will remember for many years to come. You also get to spend quality time with your kids before they are all grown and wish to be on their own.
A road trip requires lots of planning and preparation. Preparing well eliminates the chances of running into problems halfway into the journey. That said, here are a few safety tips from Houston DUI Attorneys that you ought to consider when planning a trip with your loved ones.
-
Plan Your Driving Route Carefully
With the destination already in mind, it’s advisable to plan for the best route to take, and alternative routes should there be an issue. The first step will be researching about possible routes, then picking the best route and especially if you plan to make several stopovers. Planning the route well will enable you (and the family) to take pictures, sightsee, and even get to stretch your legs a bit. Be sure to choose a route with sceneries that the children will enjoy seeing.
Although GPS might come in handy during a road trip, you might want to have hard copies of the maps with you. These will prove useful when driving on an unfamiliar road and especially if the GPS stops working. Be sure to check the route out first on the maps before producing photocopies of the map.
Be sure to inform a trusted family member or friend of the trip, and send them the route you will be using for the trip. This is a precautionary measure that ensures someone else knows your whereabouts. Should anything happen to you, he/she will be able to alert the proper authorities for immediate action.
-
Have Your Vehicle Serviced Properly
Have the car you will be traveling in checked by a mechanic. Let the mechanic know you are planning a road trip for him/her to ensure the vehicle is in the best condition possible. Have all safety features checked, fluids, tires, brakes, engine, and everything else. You’ll also want to ensure the taillights, headlights, signal lights, and windows are cleaned thoroughly and working correctly.
Check the trunk to ensure you have a disaster supply kit, a tire iron, spare tire, battery jumpers, as well as a fully charged emergency cell phone. Keep the cell phone in the glove box for quick retrieval. The phone will prove useful should you need to call 911 during an emergency.
-
Stop To Take A Break Along The Way
The key to a successful road trip is taking breaks on the way. This is particularly important for the driver who shouldn’t drive all through non-stop. Stopping for a few minutes to take a walk and even breathe fresh air should provide a break enough for the driver. Whether running late or not, do not attempt driving for too long without taking small breaks on the way.
The driver needs to be fully attentive to the road to be able to make the right decisions. With the rest of your family on board, you wouldn’t want to put them in any form of danger. That said, you should avoid using or answering the phone among other activities that might distract you. Have someone else attend to your phone if need be. If there are two or more adults in the car, take turns driving to avoid fatigue. You also shouldn’t fall asleep while the other person is driving.
-
Pack Enough Food and Water To Last All Of You For At Least 2 Days
Anything can go wrong while on the road. It could be the weather, traffic, or even the car. You, therefore, need to be prepared for the worst. One way to do this is by bringing enough food and water to last you for at least two days. There are numerous cases of motorists surviving on the food and drinks they had on them until they got help. Be sure to include whole grain crackers, nuts, veggies, fruits, and other high-energy foods just in case.
You will also need to replenish your supplies with every chance you get. If traveling for long distances, you will need to take advantage of filling stations and restaurants you come by. Filling up the tank and your food supply will not only save you time on the road but money as well.
It’s almost impossible to prepare adequately for unseen events you might face on the road. Planning ahead of time, letting someone know where you will be or are traveling to, having them check on you once in a while, and ensuring your car is in the best condition possible are some of the best ways to prepare for a family trip. Don’t make the same mistake amateur travelers make.
Author’s Bio:
Since that accident he was involved in 2009, Paul has been an active advocate of safe driving. He often attends seminar related to his advocacy. He is also interested in cars and different things about automotive.