Road trips are unique when it comes to travel safety concerns. You’re not getting on a plane, meaning you don’t have to deal with risks like turbulence. You’re not setting foot on a boat, so there’s no water trouble in your future. You’re also not getting from point A to point B on foot, so you won’t be walking until you run out of energy either.
But even when you’re traveling in a car or RV, with locking doors and an alarm system, there are still some things you should be aware of. You’ll still be running on fuel or battery charge, and if you don’t know where you’re going, you could very much end up anywhere.
So let’s focus on keeping your road trip fun, which is possible when it’s done right. Similarly, getting lost in the middle of nowhere can be an adventure! However, to make sure the fun keeps going and doesn’t veer into panic territory, check out our road trip safety guide down below.
Do a Daily Vehicle Check
If you don’t know any vehicle maintenance tips right now, make sure you read up on your car’s manual before you go. You need to know what it looks like when your car isn’t behaving correctly, and you definitely need to know how to apply a fix that’ll get you to the nearest mechanic.
As such, look into DIY mechanic tips. Knowing how to change a tire, for example, is an essential thing to know before you go on a road trip. Check on the integrity of the spare that comes with your vehicle as well, if your car comes with one pre fitted in the boot.
Once you’re on the road, make sure you do a daily once over of your vehicle before you set off for the day. How’s the tire pressure? Are the brakes working OK? What’s the fuel level? Go through a mental checklist in full each time.
Keep Snacks in the Car at all Times
Whilst you’re at the petrol station on your trip, make sure you head inside the shop there and pick up some snacks for yourself too. You’re going to need at least a couple energy bars and a bottle of water inside your car at all times, but make sure you’ve got some nice snacks you can really dig into on the seat next to you as well.
You can stop off at cafes and restaurants whenever you need to, but if you’ve got a big driving stretch ahead with next to nothing but trees in sight, don’t let yourself go hungry. Have something with you that can keep your energy levels up; a hit of carbohydrates can stop your eyes feeling heavy before you’re due for a rest stop.
Make Your Vehicle as Notable as Possible
Whenever you go traveling, there’s always a chance you’re going to get lost out there. Even if no one else is involved, many people can find themselves in the middle of nowhere with no visible way out. Driving into a ditch, for example, with no winch or stable road top able to pull you out again.
To avoid this becoming a problem, make sure your vehicle is notable to those who see it go past. If someone calls the authorities because they haven’t heard from you in a few days, your vehicle’s notoriety will help in their search.
This means customising your car, such as changing your tyre centres to another colour. You can even temporarily wrap your vehicle in an unusual car or pattern, if you like that idea. You can also invest in personalized number plates to make sure your car sticks out in the mind of those you pass on the street. It’s much easier to remember a number plate that features a legible word!
Head online to apply for one – as long as you get it officially registered with the DVLA, you can affix it to your car as soon as possible. Not only that, but a plate like this stands out on police systems as well, especially if the plate has been recently changed.
Share Your Location with a Trusted Loved One
In the modern world, you don’t need to manually check in every single day to let others know where you are and what you’re getting up to. You can drop your location pin in a map and send it to them, and they can follow along as you move throughout your trip.
Make sure you share this location with a loved one you absolutely trust. This person needs to know what’s normal for you and what isn’t, and be willing to contact authorities if they notice something out of the ordinary.
Pack Clothing for All Weather Kinds
You never know what you’re going to run into whilst you’re on a road trip. As such, make sure you pack clothing perfect for all weather types, especially if you’re road tripping across the UK or Ireland! Rain is very common and full bucketfuls can tip down when you least expect it; at the very least, you should have something waterproof to put on if you need to get out of the car.
However, summers are getting hotter and hotter round here too. Make sure you have something light, in both material and colour, to wear when the temperature starts climbing. It’s more environmentally friendly than having the AC on at all times, even though it feels great to climb into a cool vehicle after a day in the sun!
Road trip safety is different to other travel safety rules. You’ll mostly be moving of your own accord and you have control over the transport you’re using – that’s quite a bit of responsibility to have to deal with! Make sure you have tips like those above on your side. The more you approach your road trip with a level head, the more likely you are to have fun whilst you’re on the road.
Photo by The Lazy Artist Gallery: https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-photography-of-vehicle-parked-on-beach-near-bushes-1443657/
