SUMMER TRAVELING TIPS

Summer is the perfect time to travel with family and friends to explore the next state or just the next town. When you head out for a summer road trip however, you should keep a few things in mind to keep your trip safe as well as memorable.

Prevention and Planning

Before you start making your list of clothing, cameras, and cooler supplies, make sure that your car is ready to hit the open road. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a two-week tour of the coast, your car will serve as your transportation and your home away from home while you are exploring highways and back roads. Make sure your car has a clean bill of health:

·     Check your maintenance records. Are you due for an oil change? Have you checked the battery When was the last time you had the tires rotated?

·       Stock up on emergency supplies. Planning ahead can turn an emergency into just an inconvenience. Stock your car with items like a cell phone charger, flashlight, blanket, first aid kit, jumper cables, water and non-perishable food.

·     Check for recalls. It’s an easy online lookup to see if your car is subject to any recalls that need attention before your trip.

En Route

Summer road trips are often filled with car games, sing-a-longs, and a lot of fun together with your traveling companions. However, as a driver, some of that fun can get distracting. When you’re on the road remember:

·       Designate a navigator. With plenty of help in the car, assign tasks to your passengers. Someone can be in charge of coordinating texts with people you are going to meet. Someone else can be in charge of running the vehicle navigation system or your phone navigation system. You can keep your eyes on the road.

·    Share the road. Remember that a lot of motorcyclists, bicyclists, RVers, truck drivers, and other people will be out on the road with you this summer. Leave more distance between your car and other vehicles to give yourself plenty of reaction time. And always look twice! It really can save a life.

·       Leave the party out of the car. If you are going to drink alcohol on your summer vacation, make sure as the driver, you only partake in the festivities after the driving day is done. Don’t drink and drive. 

Whether or not you are traveling with kids, there will likely be plenty of children to encounter along the way or at your destination. Be very mindful in parking lots and neighborhood streets of children at play.

Never leave a child unattended in a car. The hot summer sun can cause heatstroke in a matter of minutes, even on a relatively cool 80-degree day.

A little planning can go a long way toward making your summer road trip fun and safe.

This article was submitted by SILER & INGBER, LLP. Our experienced litigation attorneys are dedicated to representing clients who have suffered severe injuries in auto accidents, because of medical malpractice, and due to other negligence by third parties. The attorneys at SILER & INGBER, LLP have achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.