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July 12th, 2023
Since summertime is when most people take vacations, myself included, it’s a good time to go over safety tips before driving to our destinations. The following are things that I have learned throughout the years to make life easier and to have a more relaxing vacation.
First off, to save wear and tear on vehicles, it might be a good idea to rent. We are doing that this year. It’s a little pricy but saving your vehicle from tire wear, oil changes and other car maintenance that is done throughout the year makes the price worth it. Plus, it gives me peace of mind knowing the vehicle I am renting has had recent maintenance since I will have three of my grandchildren with me. Their safety is the most important.
Speaking of bringing children, I make sure we have plenty of snacks and drinks for the kiddos. I also make sure everyone brings their tablets, chargers and small toys to keep them occupied during the drive. There’s also a variety of coloring books and crayons in case they are feeling creative. And, of course, pillows and blankets so they can get cozy for naptime. The adults are going to listen to a book this year. I love reading but I have never listened to a story being read to me. I hope I can stay awake! I also do an adult check for phones, chargers, check the GPS app for accuracy and a weather app to keep track of what’s coming. The weather might be fine to begin with but it can quickly change after the trip is an hour or two in.
It’s always wise to keep situational awareness in mind. We are comfortable at home and tend to travel unconsciously since we are familiar with the roadways and the location we are traveling to. It’s important to keep our eyes open for erratic drivers or road conditions that could cause an accident. This is a tricky one since most of our travels happen over interstate highways. The monotony can cause complacency, so keep this in mind while driving.
Last but not least, take a nap before starting your trip. Being fully awake and functioning at capacity goes a long way to keeping everyone safe. Being tired is dangerous for everyone, you and everyone else on the road with you. Don’t forget about gas mileage too! Keep a steady speed and gas up in the evenings if you can to get the most out of a tank since gas is densest in cooler temperatures.
There are probably a lot of other ideas that others have found to be helpful to them, but the above things keep me calm and ready to begin and end vacations happily and healthily. Safe travels to everyone this summer!
