It can be so exciting – deciding to go on a road trip with either your family or your friends; however, it is important that you do not forget about your own security while you are away from home.
Of course, you cannot guard against everything, but by taking a few measures and ensuring that the rest of the party follows suit, you will be able to stay as safe as possible during your up-and-coming adventure.
#1 Plan your trip in detail
Take the time to plan your trip in detail. This will inevitably mean that you will not miss out on any sights that you wish to see and that everyone in your party is catered to. It will also provide you with a short list of places to stay so that even if you don’t want to book in advance, you can still have an idea of some of the acceptable choices available to you.
If you choose the routes to take, you will also get more out of your road trip as you will be able to select those roads with the best views or are more direct to certain entertainment venues, minimalizing travel times and maximizing the fun.
#2 Ensure your vehicle is in tip-top condition
You should make sure that the vehicle you are going to be using is legal, road-worthy, and in tip-top condition. Leaving this to the last minute can cause additional frustration and stress among the traveling party – especially if you are running short on time.
You should check your tire pressures, tread, and general wear and tear. Ensure that your screen wipers can perform their role, as changes in weather and terrain can mean that they are required to improve visibility. Ask a local garage to check fluid levels and ensure that breaks (and lights) are working well.
#3 Have important contact numbers on speed dial
If you are traveling across state lines, you need to make sure you are accustomed to their highway laws and regulations. For instance, driving speeds vary and so do the use of traffic lights. It is always wise to have important emergency phone numbers on speed dial should you need help quickly.
Add an attorney for each of the states you will be driving through to this list. This is because as road laws vary from state to state, so do other laws, and if you get into trouble and need the help of a lawyer, you will want an expert in that state’s law. For instance, if you are traveling through Nevada then having the contact details of Coulter Harsh law makes sense. They will then be able to advise you on what you need to do and will be able to start building your case.
#4 Let loved ones know your route
As you will be traveling a long distance you should ensure that you check in with your loved ones at home. This will notify them as to where you are and that you are safe and well. It is a good idea to provide them with a copy of the route you intend to take so that they can follow your journey. This is so that if you get into any trouble or for some reason you don’t make contact for a couple of days and are unreceptive, they can alert the authorities in the area they estimate you to be in.
With this in mind, you should not use social media platforms to post your journey (until you get back, at least). This can alert any would-be criminals to the fact that you are away from home for a long period of time. For all the good social media has done, you cannot limit who looks at your photos or reads your posts; it is important to remember this.
However, in saying this, there is nothing stopping you from putting together a video or photographic journal and sending it to your loved ones by private email. You could always upload this to a social media platform when you get back so that others can marvel at your adventure and may even be inspired to plan their own versions.
To wrap it all up
You should never take the safety of yourself or your fellow passengers lightly when planning a road trip. If you are going a long way, you are going to want to make sure you see everything there is to see and plan your route carefully to ensure maximum time is spent enjoying yourselves.
However, before you set off, you need to ensure that your vehicle is road-worthy and that you have all the important contact information that you may need at a moment’s notice. Provide loved ones who are not coming with you with a route and rough destination timetable, and stay in contact with them during your adventure.
