The summer and fall months are a great time to take road trips. For example, if you’re one of our Massachusetts readers, you may find yourself venturing to New York City or a beach on the east coast in the months to come.
It doesn’t matter if you’re taking an end of summer vacation or tackling the highways during the busy Labor Day weekend, nothing changes the fact that your safety should always come first.
Here are a handful of road trip driving safety tips to follow:
- Get enough sleep in advance: Before you hit the road, do your best to bank as much sleep as possible. This will come in handy as the miles go by and you realize that you’re still several hours away from your destination.
- Avoid distractions: The more time you spend in the driver’s seat, the more likely you are to become distracted. From sending a text message to adjusting the radio, you can’t let any distraction get in your way.
- Stay hydrated: As you drive, it’s possible you could slowly become dehydrated. As a result, exhaustion sets in faster, your muscles begin to ache and your head starts to pound. It’s important to keep a bottle of water close by.
- Take breaks: Even though it’s nice to reach your destination as quickly as possible, you don’t want to do so at the expense of your safety. You should plan your breaks in advance, and stop as often as necessary.
- Practice proper posture: As the hours pass, you may begin to slouch in your seat. This feels good at first, but soon enough it will take a toll on your body. Proper posture can go a long way in helping you feel your best on a long road trip.
By practicing these tips, among others, you’ll feel better about your ability to reach your destination without incident.
If another driver causes an accident, move your car to safety and check yourself for injuries. Once you do this, call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
Although this will put a damper on your trip, you must focus on your health and well-being at this time. Furthermore, stay in touch with your insurance company and learn more about your legal rights for holding the negligent party responsible.
