Vacation Driving Tips
Hitting the road safely
Whether visiting family, enjoying a weekend at a resort, or heading to the mountains for a break from the daily routine, there are some important questions when going on a driving vacation. How do you prepare for a trip? How do you handle "road rage" (yours and others)? How do you and your family get where you are going safely?
Calm Down
Driving, whether in city traffic, on wide-open highways or lazy country roads, can be stressful. Other drivers, road conditions and "road rage" can all drive you to distraction. The best advice is – no matter what others do – stay calm. If you remain calm and cool, your chance of safely getting out of the way of a difficult situation increases greatly. Don’t compound another driver’s foolish driving maneuver by making your own. Don’t overreact to events. When encountering a tail-gaiter, someone cutting you off, a car swerving in towards you from the side, the "surprise turner" who never signals, or the vulgar gesture directed at you -- try to remain focused on maintaining a buffer of safety between your car and the events around it. Respond only to the traffic action not the hostility or stupidity that might be behind it. Responding with anger can be disastrous for you and your passengers.
Check It Out
Before you turn that ignition key, make sure your car will get you where you are going. That means check all fluid levels, change the oil if it’s due, clean the car’s windshield, windows and headlights, make sure your lights and directionals are working properly, check the tire tread and air pressure, and if you’ve been experiencing a mechanical problem that has been easy to ignore lately, now is the time to have it fixed. Addressing it now will save you money and aggravation if a breakdown occurs in the middle of your vacation.
Cash & Carry
Although most stores and garages take credit cards nowadays, it’s still advisable to have some cash on hand for emergency tows and tire changing. And, when it comes to emergencies, always keep a well-stocked emergency kit for you and your car. Your first aid kit should minimally include bandages, tape, wash & dry cloth and a topical antiseptic. And, for your motoring needs, your car kit should minimally include oil, anti-freeze, transmission and brake fluids, basic tools, signal flare, bright cloth to tie around the antenna or door handle if disabled, flashlight (with fully charged batteries) and duct tape.
Accidents Do Happen
Even the best drivers can get unlucky behind the wheel. Know what to do if you have an accident: 1) Make sure you, your passengers and all others involved are safe. 2) If possible, move the car off to the right shoulder of the road. 3) Stay at the scene until police arrive. 4) Exchange driver and car insurance information. 5) Do not speak or admit fault about the accident to anyone except your insurance company or a police officer.
Sleep
If you are taking a long driving trip, sleep can be your best defensive driving weapon. Long hours behind the wheel, particularly at night, make you drowsy, less alert to danger and increase your response time. Don’t push it. Take a nap, drink some coffee, but when you feel tired – call it a night and get a hotel or motel room. Your vacation will be more enjoyable and safer if you take it a little slower and easier.
Getting There is More Important than Getting There Quickly
People sometimes drive faster on vacation because the time is considered so valuable to them. But each year thousands of motorists make that mistake in their priorities – with fatal results. They are the ones that speed and crash and die each year on America’s highways, all in an effort to get there a little quicker. They put getting there a few minutes earlier over getting there at all.
Drinking and Not Driving
Vacations are a time to kick back, relax and enjoy yourself. But, drinking and driving don’t mix -- particularly on vacation. If you are in a resort area or city where others may be over indulging, you’ll need to stay even more aware and alert to the drivers who may not be taking it as safe as you.
