Creating a Road Trip Checklist

With the spring and summer holidays approaching, many people are starting to plan family vacations and summer road trips. While planning these trips may primarily require making hotel reservations, coordinating travel with friends and family, and packing, those who expect to spend a significant amount of time on the road this summer should also consider creating a road trip checklist. Completing the tasks on these lists, including changing tires and performing other vehicle maintenance can play a crucial role in helping motorists avoid serious car accidents.

Unfortunately, even those who use the greatest care in maintaining and repairing their vehicles could end up involved in a car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence. If you or a loved one find yourself in this situation, please don’t hesitate to call our car accident legal team today to learn more about your options.

Take Your Car in for a Tuneup

One of the best things that a car owner can do to prepare for a road trip is to take their vehicle to a mechanic who can check the vehicle’s brake pads, fluid levels, battery, and suspension. Even a quick inspection can make all the difference in preventing a car accident down the road.

Know Your Route

Limiting the amount of time we spend on our phones is also important when it comes to safe driving. To this end, drivers may want to consider studying their planned route ahead of time, looking at maps, and even printing out directions. These tools can help supplement a navigation application and keep a driver’s eyes on the road, thereby preventing potential distracted driving-related accidents. Purchasing a dashboard phone mount or Bluetooth phone speaker can also help motorists focus on staying hands-free while driving.

Obtain an Emergency Kit

All drivers should carry some emergency supplies in their vehicles, including a first aid kit. Those who are planning upcoming road trips, however, should take extra care to stock their vehicles with standard first aid items and may also want to purchase a few highway repair items, like road flares, an emergency battery charger, jumper cables, and tire changing tools. Having a spare blanket, non-perishable snacks, and clean drinking water is also a good idea for those who plan on spending a lot of time on the road.

Get Plenty of Rest

Fatigue can significantly affect a person’s driving performance and increase his or her chances of making a serious mistake. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that fatigued driving caused around 72,000 car accidents and 44,000 injuries in a single recent year. To avoid contributing to this problem, motorists should be sure to rest up the night before a trip and eat a nutritious meal before departing. If possible, switching places with another driver every few hours can also keep a driver from becoming drowsy.

Call Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys

To speak with a Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney about whether you can recover compensation for your accident-related injuries and property losses, please call Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 today.

Resource:

nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

https://www.booneanddavislaw.com/most-common-causes-of-distracted-driving/