What are your family’s must-have road-tripping items? We hope safety makes your list every time. This summer, families will be hitting the road for vacations, family reunions, and other fun reasons to pack a suitcase. To avoid putting a damper on your drive, we recommend planning with safety. If you are traveling in-state, learn more about car accident statistics from our roads here in South Carolina.
Before you get going, remember these year-round safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- Stay alert: If you are planning for a long drive, we hope you won’t do it alone. Switching drivers can be helpful. If you are the only one in the car who can drive, take breaks often. Stretch, stay hydrated, and stop if you feel drowsy.
- Ditch the distractions: There is never a good time to text and drive, speed, or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Any time you impact your coordination, reaction time, or perception, the behavior is risky.
- Plan your route: Do you know where you’re going? Always check the weather, road conditions, and traffic. Even with a GPS providing an estimated arrival time, always leave plenty of travel time. Take your time.
Now, let’s talk about your summer road trip — starting with heat-related concerns.
- A/C issues: Check your system before you hit the road. A drive without air conditioning can have harmful health consequences, especially for children and the elderly.
- Heatstroke: Never leave your child alone in a car; we will say it later in this post. Heatstroke is often deadly for children.
- Belts and hoses: What can the heat do to your belts and hoses? It can speed up the degradation rate of the rubber. Check to see if it’s time for a change.
Lastly, let’s talk about your car.
- Stock your car. Do you have what you need if your car breaks down? Pack a cell phone and charger, first aid kit, jumper cables, non-perishable food, drinking water, medicine, and other items. Check out a more extensive list here.
- Check your car. Have you received a recall notice about your vehicle? There is a recall tool that makes it easy to check the status of your car. You will only need your VIN.
Check the following on your car:
- Tires
- Cooling system
- Fluid level
- Batteries
- Lights
- Wiper blades
- Floor mats
Check your seating arrangements.
Seat belts and car seats should be top of mind during your road trip. Everyone needs to buckle up. Based on age and weight, make sure that each passenger is either in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt. Here is a quick recap of the rules:
- All children under 13 years old must be buckled properly in the backseat.
- Based on weight and age, make sure your child is in the correct car seat. Here is a helpful resource. If you are wondering if you did the installation right, find an inspection station near you.
Always be with your child in or around a vehicle.
Stay safe and have a wonderful summer!
Contact Our Experienced Accident Lawyers Today
We hope these tips keep you safe on the road. Even the best drivers experience accidents, though. If you are hurt in a car accident, we can help with a variety of cases. Contact the experienced car accident attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm today for help with rear-end collisions, T-bone collisions, sideswipe accidents, head-on crashes, and rollovers. Reach out now for a free, no-obligation consultation.
