5 safety tips for road travel this summer

5 safety tips for road travel this summer


 5 safety tips for road travel this summer
Planning to hit the road with your family this summer? Road trips can be a fun, inexpensive, and convenient way to get around, and give you the opportunity to make memories along the way.

Here are five tips to make sure you and your loved ones arrive safely.

Focus

Before you set off, make sure your vehicle is prepared for a lot of the road. Make an appointment with a qualified mechanic a few weeks before your departure to ensure that your tires, battery, belts, brakes, fluids and air conditioning are in good working order.

If you plan to drive in hot weather, or if you need to pull a heavy load like a boat or trailer, you should ask your mechanic if you need a more viscous oil than usual.

Emergency supplies

No one wants to believe that a traffic incident could interfere with their family vacation, but you have to be prepared. An emergency can arise when you least expect it - even the most careful drivers.

Public Safety Canada recommends that you keep an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes the following items1:

Non-perishable foods, such as energy bars

Water - in plastic bottles that won't crack if they freeze

Blanket

Spare clothes and shoes

First aid kit with belt cutter

Candle in a deep metal container and matches

Dynamo flashlight

Whistle - to attract attention when needed

Road maps

Copy of your emergency plan

It is also recommended that you keep the following items in your trunk:

Sand or salt (kitty litter also works)

Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid

Tow rope

Jump cables

Extinguisher

Emergency fire or flares

Other security measures

In addition to the emergency kit, there are other steps you can take to make sure your trip is safe.

Attach items that can turn into dangerous projectiles in a crash, such as books or toys. Heavier items should be stored under the seats and larger items, such as strollers and suitcases, should be stowed in the trunk if possible.

Don't forget about sun protection. It is always possible to get sunburned in the car. It is therefore important to ensure that all passengers wear sunglasses and sunscreen with an appropriate sun protection factor (SPF). You may also want to purchase a sun visor for the rear seats.

If you are traveling with children, activate the safety locks on the windows and rear doors of the car. Correctly fasten seat belts that are not in use to avoid the risk of strangulation. Also check the rear seats to make sure that there are no objects that a child could choke on, such as small buttons in the seat fabric, or hazardous materials such as windshield washer fluid.

Carefully check that your child car seat or booster seat is properly installed. If in doubt, consult the Transport Canada guide.

Distracted driving

According to the CAA, distracted drivers are involved in one way or another in 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes.2 In fact, from coast to coast, police officers consider this cause of crashes is now more common than impaired driving.3

To help keep you focused on the road and avoid distracted driving, take the following precautions:

Get enough sleep.

Allow plenty of time for the journey.

Set the GPS or check the road maps before you leave.

Prepare everything the kids need before you hit the road.

Sit up straight and keep both hands on the wheel.

Ignore phone calls - even with a hands-free device when possible.

Do not check text messages, emails, etc. and do not respond to it. By leaving your cell phone in the back of the car, you avoid the temptation to send a text message when you are stopped at a traffic light.

Avoid eating or drinking while driving.

If that seems like a lot to handle on a long trip, make short stops - so you can stretch your legs, grab something to eat, check your messages, and follow up on your calls.

Review your insurance policy

Your travel plan should include a review of your auto insurance policy