Aside from enjoyment, safety has to be your number one priority when planning for your road trip. After all, you`ll be travelling for long hours across several days, so it`s smart to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the long journey ahead. Here`s a list of safety reminders to help ensure that your road trip will be a fun and safe one:
Make Sure Your Car Is Fit for the Journey
Whether you`re taking a convertible or a campervan, you need to make sure your vehicle is in a good enough condition to drive hundreds or even thousands of kilometres. The average length of a road trip can take from 7 to 10 days, so your vehicle has to be able to run smoothly for the entirety of your trip.
Any minor hiccups can be dealt with via DIY means or a quick trip to the nearest auto shop. However, major car troubles like a dead battery, faulty ignition coils, and bad brakes can cut your trip short.
To avoid running into these problems, have your trusted mechanic inspect your vehicle before starting your road trip. This way, they can spot the early signs of common car troubles and make the necessary repairs. Your mechanic can also install various vehicle upgrades so your car or truck can handle the demands of long road trips.
Use a Reliable Navigation App
Plotting a route for your road trip is easier than ever thanks to modern technology. Smartphones have built-in GPS apps that can help you get anywhereFor a more immersive road trip experience, you can download a road trip navigation app that lets you plan your trip directly from its platform and show you the sights, restaurants, and lodging options you`ll encounter on your route.
Some navigation apps also give you accurate weather report, so you can plan your trip accordingly and avoid running into bad weather conditions.
Make Sure to Add Enough Rest Stops
Driving for hours is both stressful and exhausting and when you feel tired behind the wheel, you`re exposing yourself to a lot of dangers that can put your life at risk. According to the Ministry of Transport, there were 26 fatal crashes, 89 serious injury crashes, and 438 minor injury crashes in 2020 due to driver fatigue. To avoid becoming one of those statistics, you need to make sure you`re well rested.
Planning several stops at petrol stations or booking a room at a roadside hotel might prolong your road trip, but it`s better than nodding off while your hands are on the steering wheel. When you add rest stops to your itinerary, your body will have time to re-energize and handle long drives.
Share Driving Responsibilities if Possible
If you`re travelling with people who also know how to drive, it`s a good idea to share the driving responsibilities with them. Driving for three to four hours straight is enough to cause fatigue, so having someone to swap with you will ensure that everyone gets enough rest and you get to your destinations on time. Of course, if everyone is tired from driving, stop and take a break.
Stock Up on Road Trip Supplies
Stocking up on supplies will make the long travel to your destination bearable. When you have enough food, drinks, and means of entertainment to fill the journey, everyone on the trip will have something to do and not feel bored.
Aside from snacks and entertainment, you have to make sure that your first aid kit is also well-stocked. This ensures that you can immediately treat minor injuries like cuts, burns, scrapes, and sprains.
Follow the Rules of the Road
The rules of the road are designed to keep you safe, so it`s best to follow them even if there`s no other motor vehicle on the road. Make sure that you`re wearing a seatbelt and driving within the permitted speed limit to avoid injuries and accidents. You should also familiarise yourself with the different road signs, so you can be aware of what lies on the road up ahead.
Depending on where your road trip will take place, however, the rules of the road may differ so do your research beforehand. For example, if your road trip is in the United States, you have to drive on the right side of the road. If your road trip is in New Zealand, you must drive on the left side of the road.
Road trips are an exciting way to see the world in a unique way. They enable you to hit the road and discover amazing sights and experiences at your own pace. To ensure that your road trip is memorable, however, you have to make sure that you and your vehicle are ready for the long drive. With the help of these reminders, you can rest assured that you can thoroughly enjoy your road trip with utmost safety.