ALT-1 Driver Safety Safety Tips for Long Distance Drivers
So you've buckled up and are driving away, ready for that long road trip ahead of you. Your route has either been mapped out or destination unknown. Now what do you do? How can you ensure you will be safe on your trip? There are things that you should do before and during your trip that will help you be safe.
For starters, do your pre-trip inspections and proper preventative maintenance. Ensure that your wiper blades are fully functional and that your windshield reservoir is full. Have your oil changed, belts checked, and radiator topped off with the proper level and type of coolant. Make sure that your tires are serviceable and properly inflated. Older tires are a wreck waiting to happen, especially when it's wet out. Remember, it doesn't have to be raining in order for you to hydroplane. Hydroplaning is when your tires are unable to shed the water off the road, or get enough traction. This can cause you to slip and slide over the road and into oncoming traffic. If you find that you are hydroplaning, do not use your brakes as this can worsen the effects. Instead, you should steer into the direction in which you are hydroplaning. Have your vehicle inspected by an ASE certified mechanic. Inform your mechanic that you are going on a road trip and would like a thorough inspection.
Second, pay attention. An inattentive driver is not a safe driver. If you feel that you can not pay the proper attention while behind the wheel of an automobile then it is time for you to pull over and either sleep or have an alternate driver take over, if available and possible.
The third thing you should do is ensure that you get enough quality sleep each night. Sleeping in your car is not considered quality sleep. Pull over and get a hotel room, which you can reserve the night before if you know where you will be that night. Some hotels offer good deals if you stay within their chain a certain amount of times. Look into this for the hotel you select. Ask the clerk, it can't hurt anything.
Another thing you need to do is stay tuned for local weather. Each night that you stop, tune into a local station and watch the weather report. Being ready can make a difference. With the preventative maintenance previously mentioned, you could be prepared.
Lastly, you should stop frequently. Stopping on a regular basis will keep your mind fresh, and help keep your body from becoming sore. Each time you stop for gas, walk around for about fifteen minutes and let your mind clear. You will be amazed how much this will help.
This is not a definitive list. Always use common sense when driving, no matter what the distance. A shortcut is no excuse for safety.
