 Road Trips: Safety Tips For Family Travel
Posted by carsandtrucks on Tuesday, March 25 @ 13:51:08 PDT
I just wrote some tips for those that like to get off the beaten path and visit the remote country side via logging roads. It occurred to me that some tips for those that stay on pavement could be helpful as well. As I have said in so many of my tips, preparation is key when it comes to your car or truck. Before leaving for a road trip, take the time to check the fluid levels of all the lubricated components of your vehicle. This means more then checking the engine oil. Be sure the transmission fluid is full, the power steering, differential, and cooling system fluid levels are at capacity. Does your car or truck have
a spare tire, lug wrench and working jack? You should know this before you leave for your road trip. The brakes, tires and drive belts should get a look also. I recommend you take your vehicle to your trusted repair shop and have a skilled technician look your ride over before you hit the road. This is especially true if you tend to neglect regular visits to the shop for preventative maintenance. If you are not a member of AAA I strongly recommend you join. The cost of membership is less the $100.00 per year. Your membership gets you road service and discounts at many hotels and dining establishments. Make sure you have an up to date atlas or go hi-tech with a portable GPS. And speaking of technology, it is easy to find Wi-Fi on the highway so a laptop is a good road trip companion. With your laptop you can search for the interesting attractions in the area you are in at the time. This can really enhance the road trip. Make sure you drive only when you are fresh and your motor skills are at peak performance. If you are tired it is time to stop and take a break. Nothing will ruin a road trip more than an accident. Watch your speed and stay within the speed limits. You can be assured if you get stopped for speeding and you are far from home, you will be getting a summons. If you carry a radar detector, make sure they are legal in the state you are traveling. If they aren’t and you get caught with it, you will lose it and pay a heavy fine.
Finally, make sure you have plenty of entertainment for all the passengers. If you are traveling with kids, a DVD player helps pass the time. A good selection of cds keeps the adults from being bored. The interstate will get you to your destination faster but the back roads will be a lot more enjoyable and interesting.
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