Travelling Safely
The bags are packed. The rental is reserved. It's almost time to hit the road! Or is it? Have you prepared for the worse of the worst?
Hour after hour on the road, the last thing you should have to worry about is the safety of your family. Like deciding what clothes you will wear or what luggage you will take, safety should be something planned well in advance prior to your departure.
Everyone knows the obvious things like buckling up, driving the speed limit, and staying alert are important when traveling. Often it's the little things that are often overlooked that could make your travels safer and happier.
1. Prior to your trip, make sure you, the driver, have plenty of rest. Nothing says risky driving quite like a sleepy driver. If you're a coffee drinker, you might want to make a fresh pot of coffee for your jumbo mug to go.
2. Check all measures on the car prior to your departure. This would include tire air pressure, motor oil, brake fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. Yeah, that's right! Don't forget the windshield wiper fluid! Remember to check the air pressure in your spare tire, too. This will lessen the likelihood of having a blow out and if you do, you'll be more than well prepared.
3. Know where you're going. Have directions and know the weather along your route. Be prepared for any weather challenges that may arise.
4. Know your limits. If you know you cannot drive the entire trip yourself, take another driver along to assist you with the driving.
5. Always have snacks prepackaged and easily-accessible. It's especially important to have snacks when travelling with young children. This eliminates the need to dig around while driving or having your 5 year-old screaming, "Mommy, I'm hungry!"
6. Exhaust your child before the trip. Travelling long distances with a tired child is best. It's a well known theory that if you put a sleepy child in a car, he or she will fall to sleep and it'll make for a quieter trip. If you put a well rested child in a car, they will be talkative and cranky much of the trip.
7. Remember everyone needs their own space. Allow plenty of room for each passenger to stretch and breathe. There is nothing worse than travelling 20 hours in a sedan with 4 other people. That would be the #1 way to make your passengers become antsy. The more passengers you travel with, the bigger risk you take. If everyone has their fair share of space, it'll make for a happier and safer travel experience.
8. Lastly, if you feel tired or have any doubt about completing the trip, follow your first mind and pull over immediately. Where you are going won't seem that urgent, especially if you never make it there.
Even though these recommendations may seem like common sense, they are easy to overlook. Without preparing properly, your trip can become your worse safety nightmare.
