Summer Road Trip Auto Safety Check

by Anna Glendenning | More from this Blogger

29 Aug 2007 09:33 AM

This weekend will be the busy three-day last hurrah of summer and many of us plan to hit the road. With each season there are different risks drivers face while traveling. In the summer it's easy to delay routine maintenance.

• Preventative maintenance is a summer driving must! Depending on how good you are about the routine maintains before you leave on vacation be sure to have things done. Anything from overheated cooling systems, tire problems and burned transmissions can leave vacationers stranded or create a safety risk. Be sure to have the oil changed and check for other potential problems like breaks, belts and hoses. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and ready for the travel.

• Plan for Emergencies None of us want to have a break down or worse get completely lost while on vacation but the truth is but things happen and if it happens to you, it's important to be sure you have what you need:
  • A spare tire
  • Working jack
  • Emergency Kit and First Aid Kit
  • When possible changed and working cell phone.

  Understand how to pull over and what to do when your auto is on the side of the road. It can be very dangerous and the risk of being struck by passing traffic is very high. Turn on the emergency flashers and place reflective triangles behind the car. When possible walk away from the car and wait in a safe place.

• Stop Driving before It's Too Late

  Sleepy drivers are every bit as life threatening as drunk drivers. On ling drives it's important to take regular breaks and stop driving when the driver needs a break.

• Personal Safety

  Traveling in strange parts of the country in towns you have never been can be risky.

  If you are traveling with young children, regular stops are a must.

  It's not safe to leave children or a vulnerable person or a pet alone in a car. Both due to safety risks strangers might pose but for even on days that seem mild, the interior temperature can sky rocket in less then 20 minutes.

  Be aware of rest stop surroundings Traveling and stopping at rest stops is part of the American vacation memories most of us grew up building. At a rest stop, the out of state license plate is like a neon sign letting everyone know you aren't from around here. Keep these Rest Stop rules in mind:

  • Be alert and pay attention
  • Keep a close eye on pets and children, especially when using the bathroom.
  • Park in a well lit area.

• Watch the Load

  Driving a heavily loaded car or towing a trailer means the driver requires more space in order to stop the vehicle. It's important to leave distance between your vehicle and the one ahead.

  It's important before towing a trailer to make sure the vehicle is properly equipped to do the job. Check the owner's manual, contact the vehicle dealer or look on the Internet.

Related Blogs:

• Auto Emergency Kits
• Traveling By Car: A Life and Death Decision
• Five Tips For Driving on Icy, Slippery or Snow Covered Roads
• Start The Engine! Auto Travel and The Winter Car Trip.

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Learn more about Anna Glendenning

Anna Glendenning is a mother of four. Two biological children grown and out of college, and two siblings and adopted together in 2003. Anna's Personal Website http://www.adoptiveparentsnetwork.

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