3 tips to help you have a safe and comfortable road trip.
Photo by Andreas Selter on Unsplash
Summer is right around the corner and that means that it is almost road trip season. This can be such a fun time of year for everyone in your family as you get to experience new sights and sounds together. It is important that all of your road trips are safe and comfortable though, as seen below.
Perform car maintenance
Before you go on your next road trip, make sure that your vehicle is in the best shape possible. This will help you to avoid any potential car issues with a breakdown or even a car accident where you would need to contact a Sherman Oaks car accident lawyer. Make sure that you take your vehicle in for a tune-up about a week before your trip to ensure it is ready to go. Be sure that the oil is changed and that all fluid levels are checked as well to make sure the car is ready to go.
Make sure that you also have a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench with you in your vehicle in case you were to get a flat tire. It may be important to consider bringing along a toolbox as well in case something else occurs that needs fixing under the hood. For your safety in the interior, ensure all seatbelts lock effectively and that they all work, including those in the back seat. If you have car seats, ensure they are installed correctly and that they fit your children in the way that they should.
Care for yourself and your loved ones
Do not only take care of the vehicle though, as you should also take care of yourself and your loved ones before a road trip. The night before the trip, ensure that you and all other drivers are receiving ample sleep so that you are fully alert. When you or any other driver get into the car seat, adjust it so that it is comfortable for your level and for the whole drive. Consider bringing a lumbar pillow if you do not already have lumbar support built into your seat so that your back remains pain-free.
Be sure to bring along drinks and snacks that will keep you hydrated and energized for the entire drive. Prepare a playlist that will keep you alert and awake and that is kid-friendly so that you and your whole family have fun in the car. Finally, have someone back at home that you can share your location with and tell when you arrive at your final destination. If you are going on a road trip with a group of people, drive in a caravan so that you can always be aware of each other.
Keep entertained
Though this final tip does not have as much to do with safety, you can keep the whole family comfortable by bringing entertainment for the road trip. Consider coming up with road trip games that you can play with one another, so long as the driver will not become distracted. Play the license plate game, for instance, if your children are old enough to read, where you find a license plate from as many states as possible. If your children are younger, play I spy or play singing games with your children that you know they love and enjoy.
You probably do not have the energy though to play games with your children for the entire journey. For this reason, bring along small toys or gadgets that your children can easily play within their seats while you are on the road without losing them or without dropping them. Make sure they are not loud so that the driver remains focused on the road, as mentioned above, and ensure they are not so large that they block the rearview mirror. Doing something t keep your children entertained will keep them from distracting the driver and from causing too much of a ruckus.
Final thoughts
Roadtrips are so fun for the whole family, but even the drive can be fun if you take the right precautions. Ensure that you are also safe on the drive-by keeping the car in the best shape possible and taking care of yourself and your family.