There are so many beautiful states and regions all across America, it’s no wonder that so many people choose to cut the costs of expensive air travel and enjoy the fun and thrills of classic US road trips instead.
From the Great Lakes to the Pacific Coast and beyond, there are plenty of amazing road trip destinations to enjoy, but it’s vital to prepare properly and take great care whenever you set off.
Statistics show that around 6 million car accidents occur in the US each year, and many of these accidents can happen when people find themselves driving around areas they aren’t so familiar with. With this in mind, let’s look at some safe ways to prepare for your next trip!
Defensive Driving
The term ‘defensive driving’ applies to all of the various techniques and methods drivers can use to keep themselves and their passengers as safe as possible while out on the roads. For example, a defensive driver will always avoid truck blind spots and keep their distance to reduce their risk of accidents.
Most sensible drivers already know plenty of defensive techniques, picked up over the years from their experiences on the road. However, if you need a refresher or want to enhance your security even further, you can take defensive driving classes or find guides and videos online to help you learn more.
Know The Rules
If you’re playing a road trip and heading out of state, it’s important to remember that the rules of the road might be a little different in your destination when compared to your home location! States can often have different speed limits or even totally different regulations regarding things like car seats or DUI limits.
This is why it often pays off to take a little time before your trip to look into the road rules in your destination. Learn about the limits and familiarize yourself with all you need to know so that you’ll be perfectly prepared to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Keep The Car Tidy
Between making an itinerary, packing the bags, making sure you haven’t left anything behind, and thinking about the route you’re going to take, planning a road trip often involves quite a lot of preparation. It’s easy to overlook the simplest of things, like making sure that your car is clean and tidy.
When it comes to staying safe on the roads, one of the golden rules to know is that a clean car is a safe car. Cars that have random items rolling around on the floors could pose a lot of added risks to drivers and passengers alike. Those items could interfere with your feet as you try to press the pedals or could turn into deadly projectiles if a collision occurs.
Keep Distractions To A Minimum
Each and every year, close to 3,000 lives are lost in America due to distracted driving, while thousands of more people get injured because drivers simply failed to keep their eyes on the road. It’s easy to get distracted nowadays with phones and in-car entertainment systems, but it’s never been more important to stay focused.
If you need to make calls, send messages, or do anything else that could take your focus off the road, be sure to pull over safely beforehand. Try to avoid eating and drinking while driving or doing anything that makes you less concentrated on the control of your vehicle, like fiddling with the radio.
Use A GPS
Another simple way to have the best time on your road trip is to make sure you have a GPS. You can even download a GPS app to your phone and set up a hands-free system before setting off if desired. Either way, having a GPS can be essential, helping you get around without getting lost.
Driving long distances to new places can be quite disorienting, and it’s not uncommon for road trip travelers to find themselves getting turned around or making a wrong turn. However, with a GPS up and running in your vehicle, you won’t need to worry so much about making any wrong decisions, helping you stay focused on the roads at all times.
Conclusion
Road trips are always exciting and can be a great way to spend quality time with our nearest and dearest, but preparation for these kinds of trips is key. Make sure to follow these top tips in order to make your next road trip one to remember.
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