Road Safety Precautions For Travelling Families

If you and your family are planning a road trip, you will need to prepare accordingly. Your safety and that of your family is paramount. You should begin checking off this detailed safety list a few days before you start your trip. Remember that your car will become a family room on the move. There is a need to childproof it as much as possible. Although this will take time, it will ensure you have an epic, safe road trip.

Tune Up Your Car

For a smooth ride, ensure your vehicle is in the right working order. Get a qualified mechanic to check your battery, tires, fluids, air conditioner, and belts. Other things to check include coolant, brakes, hoses, filters, windshield, and lights. If the climate is hot, you should get motor oil with a high viscosity.

Prepare Yourself

You need to prepare yourself for the road. Inform your close friends where you are going and ensure you have a great night sleep before the next trip. In addition, you should check the network coverage of your phone to ensure you can reach the emergency services from anywhere you will be.

You should check the weather forecast and the routes you are traveling. Ensure each one of you wears comfortable clothes and pack things you will need. Some of the necessities include water, snacks, pillows, blankets, first aid kit, waterproof matches, maps, travel brochures, tool kit, and jumper cables.

Check Your Car Seats

You need to be certain that your booster seats or car seats are installed correctly. This is necessary if you are traveling with children. Car seats that are improperly installed put children at risk of death or injury. Other than being a safety tip, it is a legal requirement. Therefore, ensure you have FAA approved car seats. You can take your car to the nearby location for a free car seat inspection.

Be Sun Smart

It is advisable to equip family members with sunglasses and sunblock. Get some hats for your children. In addition, you can buy a sunshade for the backseat. When you are out of the car, ensure you cover the seats with a blanket. If seats get too hot (especially leather seats) they can burn the tender skin of your baby. Always do touch tests before letting your little passengers sit on them. Do not leave your kids in the car alone. When the outside temperature is 70 degrees, the temperature inside your car can shoot up to reach deadly degrees.

Ignore Phone Calls

When driving, you must avoid distractions at all costs. It does not matter whether you are hands-free; speaking over the phone is quite dangerous. When you try to do two things at the same time, you are likely to miss something. While driving, you need to be alert and safe. This is because you need to avoid emergencies. Scan the road ahead of you for any hazards. Remember that the road has some aggressive drivers and tailgaters. Ensure you have adequate gas between the exits.

Always maintain good driving habits like wearing your safety belt, do not take alcoholic beverages, and monitor the speed limit. Observe your blind spots and turn on the headlights whenever necessary. There is nothing wrong with enjoying your road trip and the destination, but this does not mean you drink and drive. However, be mindful of other road users. If you follow these tips, you can avoid dangerous accidents that occur on the road.

This is a contribution from one of our contributing writers.

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