There is always a lot of excitement surrounding Spring Break. Students are itching to get away from school. Parents are itching to get away from work. Many of us like to go on a road trip to blow off steam and drive to any given destination in hopes of escaping our daily routines.
Taking on the responsibility of a road trip comes with its own set of challenges, whether you are a “spring breaker” or simply on the road at the same time. Spring Break road trips are often taken by a younger generation comprising mainly new drivers. So, things can get messy if you are not careful and don’t practice safety on the road.
The importance of rest, safe parking, and traffic rules is something every driver needs to know before getting behind the wheel, but especially when it’s a road trip. Let’s take a look at some of the essential safety tips for longer drives during this time of year.
Follow Traffic Rules and Avoid Distractions
Obviously.
Never Overestimate Your Driving Skills
Regardless of whether this is your first or tenth Spring Break road trip, you must never overestimate your driving skills. This is even more important if you are taking a route that's new to you.
Always maintain your speed and don’t drive rashly or under the influence - neglecting both or either can cause car accidents. Never, ever, ever drive under the influence! If you start to feel sleepy at any given time, switch drivers or move your vehicle to a safe rest stop and relax as required.
Avoid Driving at Night if Possible
Most of our senses relax and slow down during the nighttime, meaning you're less alert on the road and more susceptible to an auto accident or wreck. This is already in addition to the difficulty of seeing in the dark and the obvious limitations that brings.
Avoid Pulling Over on the Shoulder
Especially at night! The only exception here is in the case of an emergency. Make sure you have plenty of gas between exits so you don’t get caught in this situation, which brings us to our last point…
Don’t Forget About a Pre-Trip Safety Check
Safety checks are a mandatory safety tip that everyone should make a habit of. Long road trips often need your car to be in its absolute best condition. Whether it’s filling your tires with air, changing oil, replacing windshield wipers or brake fluid, the worst place to encounter car trouble is in a place where you aren’t familiar with your surroundings. Same goes for a car wreck or accident with a big truck.
Both Spring Break and road trips should be all about making good memories! So focus on staying safe and never push yourself or your car past the responsible limit.
