Many use the holiday season and the time off work to visit loved ones. Where flying may not be an option, people will take to the road and have a road trip to see the family and friends. When it comes to driving out of town, you can never be too safe. We at Citywide Towing Service would like to share some important tips for safety and driving on your road trip.
Tips to Have a Safe Road Trip
Buckle the seat belt. Where this may simple and obvious, too many people have unbuckled to increase the comfort of being in a compacted vehicle. From the ages 1 to 54 year-olds, the number one cause of death is car accidents. You can cut the risk of being injured or killed by 50% by just wearing your seat belt.
Keep to a vehicle maintenance schedule. Ensure the vehicle is road worthy. Get your oil changed, tires rotated, and other maintenance essentials. Before you set out, inspect your tread levels, tire pressure, wiper blades, oil levels, and fluid levels.
Be well rested when driving a long distance. Drowsy drivers cause over 1,500 fatal car accidents every year. Driving while fatigued is dangerous; eyelids droop, reaction time reduces, staying in your lane, and ability to make optimal decisions is decreased. Studies show that driving after being awake for 18 hours causes your brain to function similar to an individual with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. This is the equivalent of a 160-pound man drinking five beers in an hour and then driving.
Update GPS and have back up directions. Even if you know the way, there can be detours from construction or extreme weather and other circumstances. Having a guide for an alternative route can be more than helpful to find your way.
Drive defensively. Be aware of possible motorists driving under the influence. Staying alert and reporting potential drunk drivers can keep more people alive. Never stay in the left lane unless passing. You’ll be the first in line for a collision should someone drift from the other side of the road. If need be, staying on the right side of the road gives you more time to react to a drunk driver.
Road trip safety essentials. Don’t run out of fuel for you and your car. Ensure have an extra gas can and the essential fluids with you. Additionally, keep balanced snacks and drinks for you and your passengers. To keep a balanced diet, consider a nice mix of junk food and health foods as well as salty and sugary treats. Additionally, have a spare tire with you and the necessary tools, make sure you know how to change it. Have road flares or reflector triangles to improve your visibility. Keep an emergency kit that includes jumper cables, flashlight, poncho, a basic first aid kit, and other needs. You can get kits already put together or custom build your own.
Road trip entertainment. Distractions for the younger crowd is ideal. Bring along travel games, portable games systems, books, portable DVD players, and music can help the little ones pass the time and help you maintain focus on the road.
Towing, Roadside Assistance & More in Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Combine, Coppell, DeSoto, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grapevine, Highland Park, Hutchins, Lancaster, Lewisville, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, University Park, Wilmer, Wylie, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving, Mesquite & Greater Dallas, Texas
Do not forget to keep a reliable towing company’s contact information with you. If you need roadside assistance, you can contact help. If you find yourself in need, call Citywide Towing Service today!
