Summer Travel Safety Tips

The time that students and teenagers, as well as adults, look forward to all year long, summer. The school is out; graduations have finished up, and summer is finally upon us. Many of us have been planning road trips and vacations since last summer. Travels will either be moving to cooler climates from warmer ones or vice versa. Either way, highways, and interstates will be filled with thousands of more travels each day, people who probably haven’t been there before. While vacations can be fun, stress can also become a problem due to travel issues. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your summer travel adventures.

Travel Safety-What to do before your trip?

Even a four-hour drive to friends for the weekend can require you to service your vehicle. It is recommended that is you are traveling 3 hours or more that you make sure to take your car to a local mechanic to have the oil and fluids checked and refilled, tire pressure and tread, A/C and other important travel equipment such as headlights and brake lights.

These days we are reliant on technology to tell us exactly where to go. Having a paper map with your predetermined route can be a lifesaver if you happen to lose signal or your phone dies. It is also recommended to study a route before traveling so that you are confident, especially when traveling to a new location.

Travel Safety-What to do during your trip?

The longer your trip is, the more important it is to stay hydrated and have multiple pits stops to stretch your legs. Fatigue is a huge problem for people who aren’t used to driving long distances. Take turns if you have more than one person with a license to prevent fatigue as well. When you are in a new location, it is even more important to be focused while driving. Do not text or talk on your phone while driving; these distractions can quickly lead to an accident in an unknown area or road.

If you have children, never leave them alone in a vehicle alone. Summer months have produced temperatures up to 101 degrees, which correlates to over 140 degrees in a vehicle. Having proper safety seating for children is also important. Having a booster seat or car seat can make them more comfortable during a long drive but also help prevent injury.