Long Distance Driving Tips For Holiday Travel
Do you have family living somewhere else in the United States? Do you like to go travelling around holiday times? Do you love to take vacations to new states and go on new adventures? Then you probably often times get there by vehicle taking long stretches of highway to get to your final destination. However, with long trips comes the chance for accidents to occur. This is why it is important to keep some driving tips in mind that may help you on long road trips.
Always inspect your vehicle before you go. Before you head out onto the wide open roads, you should always check your vehicle for maintenance. You can maximize overall safety by cleaning your windows as well as checking your oil and coolant levels. Check your tire pressure as well as having your tires rotated. If you fail to check your tires, you could run into an unfortunate incident of being stranded on the side of the road when they blow out.
Pack an emergency kit. Some things you may want to include in your kit are a flashlight, tire jack, flares, first aid kit, a spare key, a phone charger, and a gas card to help you in situations where you may need extra gas if you run out of money. You may also consider signing up for a roadside assistance program like AAA in case your battery dies while you’re on the road.
Plan your trip without relying on GPS. Use an actual, physical map for a better outcome. Familiarize yourself with local laws as well as researching your drive and where you can stop.
Take breaks when necessary. You should plan to make a stop every two hours even if it’s for a short period of time. This will help you set aside time to stretch your legs and check in with family.
Have somebody tag along. Sure, many times you may take a road trip with your family. However, sometimes you will have an excuse to go on a trip of your own. Consider taking a buddy along anyway, whether it be a family member or friend. You can then share driver and navigation responsibilities.
Beware changing road conditions. Weather may impact the ability to travel safely from coast to coast. 23% of the five million car crashes a year are typically caused by unsafe driving weather. You should always check the weather report. Along with this, make sure that you are never speeding. Speeding is the cause of 30% of fatal road-related crashes.
And lastly, never drive fatigued. In the state of New Jersey, a driver that has been without sleep for 24 hours is considered to be driving recklessly, also in the same class as an intoxicated driver. In recent times, there have been numerous efforts to reduce the number of drowsy drivers on the road because these drivers are involved in approximately 100,000 car crashes per year, leaving approximately 71,000 injured and another 1,500 dead. Always attempt to get a full night’s sleep before you start traveling.
Road safety is of utmost importance. Following the rules of the road and staying focused can prevent very serious accidents that could lead to injuries or even death. If you have been involved in a car accident, call an attorney that you can trust with your case at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi. We are experienced personal injury attorneys who can help you during your time of need.
