In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, families are reconsidering whether and how they travel. Honestly, staying at home during the pandemic is the best approach to avoid transmitting or getting COVID-19. Once travel is safer, a family road trip may be enticing. For the foreseeable future, any kind of travel offers a danger (the coronavirus is unlikely to go away anytime soon), but road trips allow you to avoid busy public venues like airports. After all, you only need to connect with the people in your car and you have more control over when and where you stop.
However, a family road trip has its own set of risks and you may be anxious about travelling with your children for long periods of time. Here are five of the most important yet simple tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and happy on your forthcoming road trips.
- Keep your car up-to-date
Before going on a family road trip, make sure your car is in good functioning order. Furthermore, if you need to stop and, say, replace a flat tyre while driving with weary or irritable children in the car, you will feel more overwhelmed. Ensure your car’s oil, battery and tyre rotation are all up to date to avoid car problems. Also, you should check for safety recalls on your car’s make and model before leaving and repair any faults that arise. It would be beneficial if you install must-have tech accessories for your car as they will make the ride smoother.
- Be ready for driving
Never presume that because your vehicle is in good working order, you won’t be involved in an accident. Despite strict regulations and the existence of safety features like the Progressive Safe System, most car accidents are caused by drivers’ lack of preparation and recklessness. As a result, prepare yourself before making a trip plan.
If you have a morning family outing, get a decent night’s sleep the night before. Make sure you and your fellow passengers have the required items, such as sunglasses. If you’re travelling with children, especially babies, you’ll need to take extra precautions while driving and installing baby seats, among other things. Ensure that your vehicle’s windows and doors are securely locked and that kid safety locks are turned on.
- Avoid distractions
Take extreme caution with your phone and refrain from engaging in any telephonic discussion, including answering incoming calls. To answer urgent calls, ensure you talk on the speaker and learn the benefits of a mobile phone holder for your car to get one installed. Drive at a permissible speed so that you can safely and comfortably stop the vehicle in an emergency.
A straight sitting posture can be achieved by adjusting your seat. Make sure you have a comfortable grip on the steering and braking pedals. This will eventually assist you in turning your car by allowing you to use your full strength when necessary.
- Prepare for the unexpected
Always be aware and prepared for any unexpected event and have everything you’ll need in case of an emergency. Make sure you have the following items on hand and ready to use:
- Tools for replacing tyres
- First aid
- A fully charged and functional cell phone
- Safe drinking water
- A flashlight
- Face masks and sanitisers
- Snacks, non-perishable meals and fluids
- Follow traffic rules
As time passes and you become more comfortable behind the wheel, it’s easy to become careless about obeying all safety rules. Before driving anywhere, all passengers should be secured into their seats. Seat belts are one of the most effective ways to decrease injuries in car accidents, but millions of individuals fail to use them on every journey. Also, familiarise yourself with local traffic rules, which differ from state to state and, more importantly, from country to country.
Final thoughts
Apart from the above, make sure you have the essential helpline numbers, ambulance and police contact numbers along with other important contacts, such as your vehicle’s supplier and insurance company’s details. They’ll come in handy during times of turbulence in your journey.
Finally, take a deep breath and recall why you chose to travel in the first place. It’s always a good idea to strive to appreciate the journey as much as the final destination. You can make anything worthwhile, whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure.
