When long trips are taken safety is the most important part of the trip. The essentials are loaded into the car such as: clothing, food, and numerous accessories needed for the trip. But, what about the safety factors involved along the trip?
What if the vehicle breaks down, and the weather has turned cold? Are you now prepared to spend the night with what you have in your vehicle? And how well do you know the area in which you’re traveling, would you be able to seek an alternative route if the road was closed due to an accident?
Listed below are several areas of focus which should be noted if you plan on taking your family on a long distance trip. Remember, both you and your vehicle need to be checked out for this trip.
Documentation of your trip
Long distance driving is something which should always be planned for. Any time a trip is taken the planning of the trip is the most important part. Proper notification of the route you’re taking, and also the arrival and departure times should also be related to at least two of your acquaintances.
Proper phone numbers should also be provided to these individuals should an emergency arrive. If you’re late on your arrival or departure times, and no notification has been related to these people, the proper authorities can be notified to check out your disappearance. This simple act could possibly save the lives of you and your family on a dark and cold night.
Get to know the route you’ll be taking
Check out an atlas, or go on-line and look at the area you’ll be traveling to. Is this a lonely stretch of highway, and will you have to plan your fueling and stops accordingly? Find out about the alternate routes just in case your route needs to be changed. If this is the case be sure to notify your contact information of your change of status. Maybe as you research this area you might find some great tourists destinations, or places to eat.
Acquiring the needed essentials
Sometimes the packing for a long distance trip is almost a never ending work of art. By the time you get the car loaded, you’ve got more in the car than the house. Beside all of the clothes and the beauty needs, there’s still several more items needed for the trip to keep you and your family safe.
Depending on the time of year you’ll be traveling, a survival box or bag should always be carried in the vehicle for trips. In this box you’ll need some accessories such as a: knife, rope, duck tape, blanket, flashlight, and some type of fire starter. During the winter months I would recommend a small amount of kindling for starting a fire should the need arise.
Make sure that extra oil and water are also packed away in the vehicle. Extra fuses of different sizes are also handy to have. If an area is secured in the vehicle, a gallon a gasoline is very essential if traveling in isolated areas. You might also throw in some energy bars, and some nuts or candy bars to snack on.
These accessories in the vehicle should be what you’d need to sustain your family for several days should a situation arise. It’s always better to be too safe, than very sorry in the end.
Physical checkup
In this checkup both the vehicle and the driver needs to be checked out. On any long distance trip “both” the driver and the vehicle must be in good working order. With this trip you’re not just a block away from the local shopping mall or doctor should something happen. So, make sure that everything is in working order.
Check out the vehicle, or take it to your mechanic and see if the vehicle is road worthy. Change the oil, check the tires, and do a routine maintenance check on the vehicle. Make sure that all of the fluids in the vehicle are clean and full.
Now it’s time for the driver. Are you healthy enough for the trip both mentally and physically? Many types of viruses and flues are now on the rampage, it might not be a bad idea to get a flue shot or a physical check up before the trip.
Roadway safety
On most long distance trips you’ll be driving in mostly unfamiliar territory. So, be extra cautious in this situation. Night time driving can also be even more hazardous sometimes with: limited lighting, drunk drivers, fatigued drivers, and animals in the roadway.
Now if everything has come together it’s time to head out for your trip. With your destination in mind and the proper planning, this trip is destined to be an adventure. Adjust your speed and enjoy the trip. Sometimes the best part of the trip is just getting there.
