Many of us enjoy getting away from our hometowns for a vacation, quite often by just taking a road trip. But driving for long distances can be dangerous if you are not well-equipped.
Here are some top tips to help you plan a safe journey before you head out on the road.
Vehicle prep
Before setting off, you must check your vehicle and make sure it is safe to drive. You don’t need to be a motor mechanic to check your vehicle. Instead, you can take 5 minutes to do these basic checks that will make your journey safer.
- Tyre pressure and tread
- Oil level
- Windscreen wiper condition and fluid
- Leaks under your vehicle
- Clean windows
- Working lights
- Warnings on your dashboard
Check your route
A simple way to make your journey that little bit safer is to just check your route online before leaving. This can give you an idea of where to stop for breaks, get extra food and water, go to the toilet and refuel. Rather than just leaving and following your satnav or directions that you were given.
Accidents
Unfortunately, accidents can happen at any time and often when least expected. So, for this reason, it is important to be prepared for the worst and that you know what to do and who to call if you are unlucky enough to find yourself in one. A few things you will want to consider or have in place before leaving are:
- Insurances
- Roadside recovery
- Emergency contact details
If you find yourself in an accident, it is important that you make a note of what happened. The more prepared you are, the more you can offset the stress and make your work with personal injury lawyers easier.
You should also consider taking some extra food and water in case you are waiting for recovery for a long time or become stranded in the middle of nowhere. Having a first aid kit in the vehicle along with extra blankets is also advisable.
Time of day you travel
This might not seem to consider, but driving at night is a lot different from driving in the daytime. The most obvious difference is when driving at night, your visibility is reduced, but there are also other factors to consider, such as the amount of traffic on the roads, whether it is rush hour, the height of the sun, or bright lights from oncoming traffic.
Driving confidence
If you are a new or a nervous driver, then something to consider is the length and complexity of the drive. It would be best for you to take smaller and easier trips to start with until you have the confidence and knowledge to drive the longer routes.
Weather conditions
The weather can have a significant impact on your safety when driving. Before leaving, you should check the local weather and the weather for your destination (especially if you are planning a long road trip) for any warnings or extremely harsh weather. This could be such as heavy rain, snow, ice, and even high winds and extreme temperatures.
So before setting off on your road trip, think through these points and make sure you are safe.
Source by hollybeetells.com
