10 Family Road Trip Safety Tips

Road trip season is finally here! If you and your loved ones are driving to your vacation destination, make sure you are prepared for safe travels. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

10 Tips for Your Next Family Road Trip

1. Give yourself plenty of time for a vehicle tune-up.
   Before the actual vacation can begin, you’ll need to arrive safely in the vehicle you’re driving. Don’t leave anything up to chance—get a thorough inspection on tires, brakes, battery, etc. with enough time to spare before you depart.
2. Get plenty of rest.
   Whoever the designated driver(s) are for the trip, make sure to get plenty of rest before departure. If possible, switch on and off with another driver as much as possible.
3. Make sure all car/booster seats are properly in place.
   If you’re driving with young children on board that still require a special type of safety seat in a moving vehicle, ensure that everything is installed correctly. Your children are your most precious cargo!
4. Put together an emergency road safety kit.
   You don’t need to go out and buy an expensive safety kit. Just make sure to have these essentials on board: 
   • Plenty of Water
   • Blankets
   • Jumper Cables
   • General First-Aid Kit
   • Cell Phone Chargers
   • Road Flares
5. Pack sun protection.
   Don’t leave for any vacation without the proper sun protection. This can be anything from sunglasses, to strong sunscreen, to hats. The sun can get through into a vehicle, especially if you’re driving with the windows down, so there’s no harm in being extremely cautious and applying sunscreen in the vehicle as well.
6. Keep the heavy items down.
   If there are sudden stops or maneuvering, no one wants to be injured from a heavy, moving object in the vehicle. When you pack heavier items (strollers, large suitcases, etc.) make sure they are packed down tight with no wiggle room.
7. Bring a roadmap. Even though most drivers, today, rely on GPS systems and smartphone map apps, there is always a chance something could go wrong with the device. It may be old school, but bringing a road map can’t hurt—that way, you won’t have to go out of your way and waste gas to ask for directions, or even take the risk of encountering a more dangerous situation.
8. Stay updated on the weather forecast.
   Most people will have access to checking the weather on their smart devices, so if you’re about to run in to some inclement weather, pull over to a good resting place, if possible. Otherwise, take your time and drive as slowly as you need.
9. Take frequent breaks.
   Stop as much as you need to in order to stretch out, use the restroom, grab some food, and just get some fresh air! You’ll be a much happier vacationer if you’ve been able to stretch out during a long drive.
10. Have all of the proper contact information readily available.
    Phone numbers, street addresses, and email addresses to the places you will be staying at are always good to have right by you in case of a sudden change in plans. It’s never a bad thing to be over-prepared for a road trip.

We want you to arrive safely to your destination so you can enjoy a nice, relaxing vacation!