Pump up the jams, roll down the windows, put your phone down and hit the road! Whether you’re going down the shore, or up the mountains, or driving cross-country this summer, there are a few steps you can take to increase your safety, and everyone else’s.
If despite your best efforts, you are involved in a car accident, contact Aversa & Linn for help in protecting your rights.
Trip Prep
Vehicle check-up
Just as we change our smoke detector batteries at Spring Forward and Fall Back, the beginning of summer and beginning of winter are great times to give your car a check-up.
Bring your vehicle to a trusted mechanic, or if you feel comfortable doing it yourself, take a look at the following:
- Tires – Remember to check the spare tire too!
- Fluid levels
- Cooling system
- Battery
- Lights
- Wiper blades
- Floor mats
Find a vehicle safety checklist.
Emergency road kit
Even the best laid plans can go awry. Make an emergency kit so that you’ll be better able to handle a situation or wait more comfortably for help if needed. You may even want to have a physical map with you in case you lose service or your phone dies.
Things to include in your emergency kit:
- Jumper cables or portable battery charger
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Water and snacks
- Paper towels
- Extra washer fluid
Planning safe routes and avoiding dangerous roads
Yes, you will likely have your smartphone with you, and it can guide you to where you need to go. It’s still a good idea to look over the route before you leave home, to look for anything that may impede your progress like road closures, traffic, and weather. Having an idea of your route will also help in the event of your phone dying or losing service.
In light of extreme weather becoming more frequent, it’s becoming more important to check the weather when planning a trip. Back roads, side roads, etc may have trees down or flash floods.
Check for recalls
It’s possible that your car has been recalled for a safety issue and you haven’t heard about it. You can search here for any recalls: NHTSA.gov/Recalls. You can also sign up for email recall alerts at NHTSA.gov/Alerts.
Become familiar with the car you will be driving
Being familiar with your vehicle is essential for safety, so much that you could fail a driver’s test in Pennsylvania for not locating the flashers. (Don’t ask how we know this.) Though that may seem harsh, being familiar with the car you are driving is essential for safety. If you are driving a rental car, or a different car than usual, take time to make sure you know how to use windshield wipers, defrost, turn signals, and yes, flashers.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Taking a phone call, checking a quick text, or eating: anything that takes our focus off the road is distracted driving.
PUT DOWN THE PHONE!
Texting while driving caused the deaths of more than 3,000 people in 2020 alone. Sending or checking a text takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that is like driving the entire distance of a football field with your eyes closed![1]
If you have trouble resisting the urge to look at your phone, there are apps and settings that can help. Please remember that even if you’re using hands-free devices it can still be a distraction.
Avoid all distractions
We can’t get rid of all distractions. If someone could invent a way to prevent kids from fighting in the backseat, I know plenty of parents who would buy it.
A few things you can do to minimize distractions:
- Eat before you get in the car, or pull over to eat.
- Ask one of your passengers to take charge of music and directions.
- Give kids something to do like books, screens, toys.
Stay Alert, Avoid Driver Fatigue
Sometimes you just want to get there already. Although it’s tempting to push through even when we’re tired, the possibility of hurting yourself or someone else is not worth the risk.
A few ways to avoid driver fatigue:
- Plan for breaks – Especially during a drive of more than a few hours, pulling over to stretch your legs, go to the bathroom, eat or drink something, all ensure that you stay alert.
- Consider staying overnight along the way.
- Take turns driving.
- Recognize the signs of driver fatigue.
With some advance planning and precautions, and by following best practices, you and your family should be able to have a safe and fun road trip this summer.
If you have ideas about how to avoid distractions or keep kids occupied, please leave us a comment!
If you or a family member is injured in a car accident, hiring an experienced attorney is essential to protect your interests and get the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact Aversa & Linn for help in evaluating your claim.
