If you’re getting ready to go on a road trip or travel on the highways for any reason from a life change to leisure, it’s important to ensure you will be safe and comfortable. Read on to see five tips that will help you make the most of your highway travels, whether you’re all alone, with a significant other, or with the whole family.
1. Plan Your Route
The very first thing that you need to do is to plan your route carefully. This will help you know what to expect on your drive, and prepare accordingly. If, for instance, you take a route that’s known to be frequented by trucks, you should keep in mind that trucks need 40% more time to come to a stop than cars do. Setting out with this in mind will help you react accordingly and drive safely, keeping a safe distance between you and any trucks on the road, as well as other cars.
2. Make Reservations Early Enough
If you will be traveling to a specific destination and will need accommodation, make the necessary reservations well in advance. While this is true for holidays and other peak times when you may be likely to find crowds where you go, it’s prudent to do so regardless of the time of year. This will help you avoid surprises such as missing a place to rest once you’ve traveled a long distance to get there.
3. Prepare Your Car
Your car needs to be in a good state if it’s to get you safely to and from your destination, so service it before you set out. Take it to your mechanic for a check and change any missing, worn, or otherwise destroyed parts. If it hasn’t been long since you had it checked out, you should at least service it. This servicing should include changing the oil, checking the windshield blades and tires, and inspecting the brakes. In 2012, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that there were 3,921 deaths involving collisions with large trucks. Your life as well as that of any passenger you travel with may well depend on these details, so don’t ignore them.
4. Consider Entertainment
You will need entertainment to make your trip worthwhile, and possibly even help you stay attentive to driving. Depending on if you’re traveling by yourself or with family, there are a number of options available to choose from. These include preparing a playlist to listen to, packing some handy games and toys, and even writing down a list of games that you can all participate in, such as trivia and sing-along songs. This will be especially important if you travel with younger kids who may get bored and act up a storm while you’re on the highway. Avoid this possibility by keeping a ready list of entertainment options with you.
5. Pack Smartly
Depending on the distance you will travel as well as the company you will travel with, ensure that you pack smartly. Include everything that you may need, but avoid taking unnecessary items with you as they will simply fill your vehicle up for no reason. One of the things you shouldn’t leave behind at any cost is an emergency kit. Also, pack a service kit for your specific car. For example, if you are driving a Mercedes-Benz which is manufactured in 30 countries, you could pick up the manufacturer’s recommended service kit from their outlet. This will ensure that you have everything you need in case of an emergency.
Use these tips to travel safely whenever you’re going on a drive on the highway and you will enjoy your trip. You will also most likely avoid getting into an emergency situation in which you need to seek help.
