For many people, taking a vacation means packing the entire family in a vehicle and driving to some fun, exotic location. While a road trip offers a chance to bond with your loved ones, it also presents a few challenges – most notably, the possibility of getting into an accident.
Most road accidents are just that, but some are rather preventable. Below are some tried and tested tips to keep you safe while driving to your favorite vacation spots.
1. Inspect Your Vehicle Before Hitting the Open Road
Your vehicle is just like any other machine. With time, it may develop mechanical issues, some of which aren’t obvious. While some mechanical issues are mere inconveniences, some may have more drastic consequences.
Take tire problems, for instance. Underinflated or overinflated tires might seem pretty harmless, but if not addressed, they could lose traction or overheat to the point of blowing out.
Therefore, before leaving your garage, you should check your vehicle thoroughly. If you know your car well, it should be quite easy to spot any damage. Some key areas to look out for include tire pressure, headlights, tail lights, signal lights, brake pads, and any leaks emanating from the fuel tank or radiator.
2. Don’t Drive Distracted
Driving with some company in the car can be pretty distracting. Everybody wants your attention and sometimes you can’t help but give them a glance while they’re talking or trying to show you something.
It’s also possible to get distracted when driving alone, especially when you’re on your phone. Take texting, for instance. Driving and texting is like driving blind. In fact, it’s estimated that at least 1.6 million car crashes each year are caused by drivers using their cell phones and texting.
Distracted driving isn't just limited to using your phone. Even simple activities like checking your GPS or eating could divert your attention, increasing the risk of colliding with other vehicles or hitting a pedestrian. As such, experts recommend keeping your eyes on the road at all times.
3. Rest When You Need To
Driving long distances can be quite tasking, both on your mind and body. With time, your eyes get tired and muscle coordination deteriorates. This could tremendously increase your chances of ramming into something or limit your ability to swerve out of the way when the situation requires it.
As a general rule of thumb, you should stop for at least 15 minutes for every two hours of driving. You should also avoid driving more than 8 hours a day.
4. Drive the Speed Limit
This might sound pretty redundant to experienced drivers, but driving the speed limit could mean the difference between waking up in the ER and arriving safely at your destination. You may think that driving just a few miles per hour above the speed limit is harmless, but studies have shown that driving over the speed limit, even by just 10 km/h, significantly increases the risk of car accidents. This also applies to relatively less-restrictive roads like major highways and interstates.
5. Practice Defensive Driving
The past few decades have seen a tremendous increase in the number of vehicles on the road. It seems like everyone has a car now, and wants to get to their destination as fast as they can, some even going as far as disregarding the safety of other road users.
Defensive driving isn’t just meant for new drivers or those who need more driving experience—it's for everyone who gets behind the wheel.
Before heading out on your big road trip adventure, take time driving on busy roads to hone your skills. While you're at it, make it a habit to practice other road safety measures like checking your blind spots, avoiding driving near pedestrians or other road users that might dart sporadically on and out of traffic, and looking out for any erratic drivers.
6. Travel During Early Morning or Daylight Hours
Traveling is generally safer during the day. Law enforcement is also more active during the day, so they’re on the lookout for anyone violating traffic laws, consequently keeping you safe.
While it may be tempting to drive at night, either due to necessity or just for the thrill of it, you should remember that 50% of traffic accident fatalities happen at night. Ideally, you should plan your route so that you have a place to sleep when it gets dark, so you can resume your journey in the morning.
What to Do if You Get into a Traffic Accident on Vacation
Getting into an accident in an unfamiliar location can be traumatizing, especially if you get injured. Here’s some advice on navigating the post-accident process if you are caught up in such a situation while on vacation.
Contact Local Authorities
The first step in any post-accident scenario is ensuring that everyone is safe. Once you've got that covered, you should call local law enforcement and emergency services.
Get Official Documentation of the Accident and Save All Records
If you aren’t hurt, take detailed photographs of the scene, including any damage to your vehicle, the surrounding area, and other vehicles. You should also note the date, time, and location of the accident and take the contact information of any witnesses.
Contact Your Attorney and Submit an Insurance Claim
If you want to get reimbursed for damages and unexpected expenses arising from the accident, you can file a personal injury claim. While you may be able to get the insurance company to offer a settlement, it's usually less than what you deserve.
That's why you should have an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the process and help you negotiate a more favorable settlement.
Drive Safely on Your Vacation
Going on a road trip while on vacation can be a fun experience. But it also presents a significant risk of getting into a car accident, especially if you’re vacationing during the holidays when there’s increased traffic and cases of reckless driving.
The tips discussed above can help keep you safe on the road. But, if the worst happens, you can get compensated. All you have to do is follow the proper procedure and possibly hire an attorney to help guide you through the process.
