Spring break may start as early as next week or later in the month for many students and families. Whether you are planning a road trip during spring break, the summer, or the holidays it is important to prepare ahead for your vacation and review some quick tips to travel safely during these seasons.
- Pack plenty of snacks and drinks: Be prepared with a cooler full of fresh and healthy snacks and beverages than to continually make pit stops at gas stations or fast-food places which can cut into your driving time. Packing plenty of snacks and drinks can help keep little children and drivers happy and awake.
- Plan for traffic: Construction delays can occur any time and driving in a major city during rush hour can delay your road trip. Plan ahead as much as possible to avoid road congestion or try alternate routes to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
- Practice Safe Driving: State patrol and police officers are everyone on the highways and roads to keep drivers safe reduce the dangers of driving. Make sure to drive the posted speed limit and respect the construction speed zones to keep yourself and everyone safe and prevent a hefty speeding ticket. Also, don’t forget to wear seat belts and if traveling with young children and pets check that car seats are properly fastened and that pet travel harnesses are secured.
- Inspect your vehicle for a full tune up: Schedule a multi-point inspection with a reliable and trusted mechanic or auto shop which can help you find mechanical issues beforehand and get your vehicle fixed sooner than to wait and have these issues get worse and expensive.
- Download maps and entertainment: Don’t forget to download road maps in advance which can help you save time and money on prolong data usage or if you lose your GPS signal. Keep young children entertained by downloading Spotify song lists and apps like Netflix or Disney beforehand.
- Take a break at rest stops: Besides taking in all the beautiful scenery with side trips, stopping at rest stops and taking a quick break can help with fatigue and sleepiness when driving for long hours.
- Prepare a vehicle emergency kit: There could be a chance you could get stranded or lost therefore it is essential to keep a vehicle emergency kit to help you get back on the road quickly and safely. Pre-assembled kits are available to purchase, or you can use this guide to assemble your own emergency kit.
Lastly, be sure to review your auto insurance coverages and understand how your deductible works. It is important to have a contact emergency list in case you may need roadside or towing assistance. If you are not sure what your auto coverages are or how your auto policy would protect you while traveling across state lines, contact your independent agent to discuss your questions and concerns before hitting the road.
Sources:
https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/top-7-summer-driving-tips-2/ https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/road-trips/road-trip-tips-mistakes https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/how-to-plan-a-road-trip
Comments