Road trips are bound to be all the rage this year. With the pandemic passing (fingers crossed), people are desperate to book holidays and make up for the lost time. Of course, the vaccination programmes in other countries are behind the UK, which means foreign travel is out for a while.
Until then, staycations are on the cards, and a road trip is an excellent option for families who require cheap and accessible ideas. After all, you only need a car to hit the open road. But, if you’re going with your family, you should make it as safe as possible.
If you’re not sure how to do it, here are four tips!
Prep The Car
Your vehicle might have done one-hundred-thousands miles without an issue, yet that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to be problem-free. If anything, a high mileage means it’s more important to look under the hood for any potential issues. At the very least, the NHTSA recommends an oil change for the sake of the engine and new tires. Resources for all weather conditions are necessary, too. For instance, you can pack a jerry can of fuel in case you’re running low and a long way from a gas station, and chains in case it snows.
Change Your Driving Style
Every motorist has a driving style. Usually, you don’t have to worry about yours because the conditions mean you can continue on your merry way without tweaking your approach. This isn’t the case when inclement weather appears out of nowhere. Ask any competent personal injury attorneys and they’ll tell you that accidents occur when drivers don’t alter their methodologies. You wouldn’t speed in the snow, so why do it in the rain? After all, the braking distance increases by almost 100%, which is why it’s important to reduce your speed by around 33%.
Be Cautious Of Covid
Covid-19 is the elephant in the room. It’s not going away completely, so we might have to learn to live with it for the long-term. Currently, that means wearing masks, staying at least one meter apart from strangers, and avoiding crowds. The same applies whether you’re at home or in a different state on vacation. The rules don’t change just because you’re taking a break. With that in mind, it’s imperative to follow the guidelines set out by the Highway Code and other reputable organisations.
Go To Bed
Driving tired is something that most people do because it isn’t perceived as overly dangerous. You’ll soon wake up and your reaction times will adjust. However, the reality is that operating a vehicle after being awake for eighteen hours or longer is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol. It’s the equivalent of a blood alcohol content level of 0.05%. To put it into perspective, every state in the US says that 0.08% is illegal. Therefore, it’s essential to get a good night’s rest to ensure you’re alert behind the wheel and don’t take any silly risks.
The best way to make a road trip family-friendly is to have fun while staying safe.