Planning a road trip is an exciting way to see new sites around your country and, potentially, the world. However, it’s important to remember that you will be spending an extended amount of time behind the wheel of a vehicle, which means you need to take precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. To that end, there are a number of tips anybody can follow in order to stay safe on their road trip.
Preparing for Your Road Trip: How to Stay Safe While Travelling
What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident While Traveling
It’s important to recognize that it’s not always possible to stay completely safe while out on the road. With over 31,000 people dying in car accidents in the first three quarters of 2022 alone, it’s clear that taking immediate action following an accident is important. To that end, use the following tips to respond after a car accident:
- Start by inspecting yourself for injuries followed by your passengers
- Get your vehicle out of the roadway and onto the shoulder if it is operable
- Check on the other driver(s) involved in the accident to ensure they don’t have injuries
- Take photos of any and all damage to the vehicles involved
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s)
- Contact the authorities to inform them of what occurred
Assuming there are no injuries and the damage to your vehicle is minor, all of the above steps can be completed in as little as 30 minutes and you may be back on the road in no time. It’s always best to visit a doctor following a car accident to ensure there are no hidden injuries that you weren’t aware of.
5 Tips for Staying Safe on Your Road Trip
While car accidents are common, they can certainly be avoidable in many instances. If you are involved in a car accident where you are injured due to the negligence of another driver, however, contact an accredited injury attorney to see if you have a potential case on your hands. To keep yourself and other drivers safe while out on the road in the meantime, though, use the following five tips.
1.Handle preventative maintenance before you leave
Not all accidents are caused by driver error and oftentimes an accident can be caused by the breakdown of a vehicle on the road. To avoid this, take care of your regularly scheduled maintenance on your vehicle and fix any issues that pop up sooner, rather than later, to avoid a breakdown on your road trip.
2.Pack an emergency supply skit in your vehicle
As you head out on the open road, always ensure you have an emergency supply kit in your trunk. This kit should include non-perishable food, water, emergency blankets, flares, and other helpful items should you get stranded in the middle of nowhere.
3.Follow the rules of the road
As a driver, it’s important that you always follow posted speed limits and obey the rules of the road you’re on. You may not think speeding slightly when you’re running late will make a big difference, but it can actually be the difference between life and death in an accident.
4.Don’t be afraid to let another person take over driving duties
If you find yourself feeling drowsy while driving on the road, don’t power through that feeling and continue driving. Pull over to the side of the road and switch drivers so that you can get some much-needed rest before continuing on your journey. If you are alone on your road trip, invest some money into getting a hotel room for the evening so that you can rest.
5.Keep all documents on your person or in your vehicle
Finally, it’s important to retain all identification documentation and insurance information on your person and in your vehicle on your road trip. If you are in an accident, you will need to share these items. Additionally, if you are pulled over on your road trip, you may be detained if you cannot prove who you are and who the vehicle belongs to.
Protect yourself and others while traveling
Staying safe on your road trip is about being completely aware of the road at all times if you are the driver. Remove any distractions that may hinder your ability to focus on the road so that you can keep yourself and other passengers safe. By using all of the above tips, you are sure to have a fun and safe road trip that allows you to satisfy your travel urge.