You all know we travel. A lot. That is our life — our job. The summer is coming on us all fast, and I know many of you are going to be taking family vacations that include road trips. While on the road for hours at a time we have picked up some great travel tips for safety.
Did you know that after seat belts and airbags the third most important safety feature on a car is the windshield? It is important to understand and practice safe driving.
10 Safe Road Trip Travel Tips
1. Drive the speed limit. I know when you are trying to get somewhere quickly it is easy to want to speed. That vacation place will be there 20 minutes later, so don’t worry about speeding. Think about the safety of your family.
2. Don’t talk or your cell phone or text while driving. It is unsafe. We all know that. I need a reminder at times too. When you are distracted it is easy for accidents to happen.
3. Don’t tailgate. What if someone stops quickly in front of you. Your reaction time is slowed when you tailgate the car in front of you. Plus, the times we have had a cracked windshiled are often the times we were tailgating.
4. Drive defensively. Pay attention to the cars and pedestrians around you. Often you can prevent accidents by simply paying attention to your surroundings.
5. Keep your tires inflated properly, rotated, and in good shape. Not only will you get better gas mileage, it is safer when you have properly inflated tires. Also, when they are rotated frequently the tread does not wear out as easily. It is much safer.
6. Fix those windshield chips right away! Think you can ignore a chip in your windshield? Think again! The windshield provides up to 30% of your vehicles structural integrity, and a chip smaller than 6 inches (or the size of a dollar bill) can easily be repaired by filling it with a special resin.
7. A chip could turn into a crack at any time, often when you are least expecting it. Windshield repair is often a safe and economical alternative to a full windshield replacement.
8. Keep your car insured with the proper amount of insurance coverage. Protect not just your vehicle but the precious cargo you are carrying. With many insurance companies, there is no deductible for the repairs to windshields (that is a cool plus!)
9. It is easy to drive and eat your quick fast food lunch, but it is not safe. Again, much like texting and talking on a cell phone you are not paying as close attention. Eat at a rest area, in your car, or go inside the eatery. It only takes a little more time.
10. Know your route. Plan ahead. When you know where you are going you will save stress and time. It will result in a safer trip.
So where ever your road trip takes you this summer, remember these safe travel tips. They will help keep you safe.
Have a safe and happy summer!
If you have any tips you’d like to share, leave them in the comment section below.
