When you are planning a road trip it’s important to consider the possibility that you may have some issues, and maybe even a disaster, along the way. You can’t control mother nature and you also can’t control how your car is going to run or hold up, especially if you are going on a long drive.
Even if you get an oil change and a tune up before you hit the road you still run the risk of having an accident or getting a flat tire. Here are some things that can help you be prepared when it’s time for you to head out on your next road trip adventure.
Pack A Safety Kit
Your road trip safety kit should come with many things, including knowledge. Both minor and major injuries are possible when you are on the road, so it makes absolute sense to have a first aid kit in your vehicle. But that’s not all.
If your car breaks down and you end up stranded you’ll want to make sure you have the tools to try to fix the problem. Have your spare tire checked before you go so that a flat tire won’t hold you back, and make sure you have a jack and tire iron on hand so you can actually change your tire (and of course the knowledge of how to change a tire).
Your car safety kit should also include jumper cables, and you will want to make sure you know how to jump start a vehicle. Make sure you have a working, charged, cell phone with you as well so that it is easy to call emergency services if you are in an accident, or to call a tow truck if you can’t get your vehicle up and going again.
Be Weather Smart
Check the weather before you head out on the road so you know what kind of things you’ll be driving into. If it’s possible that you’ll hit some rain on your drive make sure you bring an umbrella, maybe a rain suit, and you’ll also want to make sure your tires aren’t bald so you don’t end up doing a lot of hydroplaning while you’re driving.
If you are on the road and there is a major weather event, like a tornado, make sure you know what to do (like seek shelter and get off the road and out of the car). Even simply driving in hail can be a hazard and life threatening if it were to break your windshield (which can happen).
Of all the things you need to do when you are on a road trip and faced with a disaster the most important is to stay calm. Getting yourself all in a panic won’t help and if you have other people with you it will probably just make them all worried and nervous as well.
Along with your safety items, you may also want to have some shelf stable snacks and some water, and maybe even some extra warm clothes if you are traveling in the winter, on hand. Just in case you get stranded, you want to make sure no one starves or gets dehydrated.
While accidents may not happen at all on your very own road trip, it just makes sense to prepare just in case something unexpected were to happen.