Safe driving tips for your vacation
Looking forward to your next vacation? More of us than ever before are hitting the open road, relishing the long winding roads and enjoying every stop and landmark along the way. There’s a lot to consider, from the route you’re going to take, to what to pack and how you’re going to keep your children occupied on the long journey.
Another element of your travels that you should consider is how you’re going to stay safe on the roads. Roads are much busier, there’s a lot of traffic to contend with, and there are unfamiliar towns and cities to navigate – the last thing you want is to find yourself caught up in a road accident… call a personal injury lawyer from Greenville if you’ve been involved in a car crash that wasn’t your fault.
So, with this in mind, I’ve gathered some simple, safe driving tips you can use for your next vacation.
Get plenty of sleep
Driving takes concentration and endurance, especially if you’re driving long distance. Therefore getting plenty of sleep the night before your journey is essential. In the days leading up to your trip, try to get as much sleep as possible, go to bed early and avoid drinking or late nights. If you struggle to drift off, don’t worry just keep yourself relaxed and avoid anything too strenuous in the days before you travel.
Share the driving responsibilities
If you’re traveling with another adult, consider sharing the driving responsibilities so you can help each other navigate the roads, keep an eye on each other and rest while the other takes the wheel. Falling asleep at the wheel or driving whilst tired is incredibly dangerous, and you’ll be endangering your own life, your passenger’s lives and the lives of other road users.
Drive defensively
Driving defensively means driving to save lives, time and money. Being aware of your surroundings, following the 3-4 second rule and not depending on other drivers. Brush up your defensive driving skills by taking a course before you travel or do some simple research to familiarise yourself with defensive driving practices.
Plan your stops
Of course, you want to get to your destination as soon as possible, but failing to make any stops will put pressure on you, leave you feeling fatigued and incredibly stressed and uncomfortable. Planning your stops will ensure you and your family can stretch your legs, get something to eat and enjoy your journey. It also means you’re more likely to get there safely.
And finally, keep your passengers happy
If you’re a parent you’ll know that traveling with kids often means fighting on the backseat, tears and incessant choruses of “are we there yet?”. Keeping your kids entertained on long journeys means that you can concentrate on driving, avoid missing your turn off and hopefully prevent a crash with another vehicle. Always bring plenty of snacks, toys and games to keep the little ones (and the big ones) occupied whilst you concentrate behind the wheel.
