Preparing for your next road Trip

Road trips are a simple and exciting vacation alternative to expensive plane rides or cruises; just jump in your car, pile in the family, and go. There are hidden dangerous that can appear along your way however, capable of ruining your fun and even putting you in danger of an accident. To help eliminate many of the most common troubles associated with road trip driving, here are a few important things to keep in mind.
Before leaving for your trip, planning and preparation are essential and can eliminate a tremendous amount of frustration. Map out your route, understanding what roads to take, as well as alternate routes should something impede your primary path, like road construction, closures, or accidents. Bringing along maps of the area can also help should you take make a wrong turn or lose your way. Becoming lost can quickly turn a relaxing vacation into a stress filled ordeal, taking your attention off the task of driving and onto finding your way, introducing the threat of an accident. In unfamiliar areas, complicated intersections and blind turns can be difficult to navigate, and when preoccupied, you are liable to make a mistake.
Make sre that your vehicle is also in proper working condition, not in danger of breaking down during your trip. Check important aspects like engine oil, tire pressures, brakes, battery, air conditioning, heater, windscreen wipers, and wiper fluid. If any of these important components were to fail during a trip, you could find yourself stranded and unable to continue. Setbacks like these can also cost hundreds and thousands of dollars at foreign repair shops looking to exploit weary travelers. Emergency supplies are also important to include in your packing, including a first aid kit, drinking water, tools for fixing a flat, and a cell phone charger to ensure that you can call for help in the event of an accident or breakdown.
Minimizing your vehicle's weight can also help maximize fuel economy and improve handling and performance, making your trip easier and cheaper. Do not over pack with unneeded items that can slow you down, forcing you to stop more frequently for gas. Added weight can also make braking and acceleration more difficult, along with quick maneuvering to avoid an impending obstacle in an emergency situation. Heavy items that are needed should be securely tied down, not allowed to slide around inside your vehicle, which can make it much more difficult to drive smoothly.
Getting a full night's rest before you set off can also ensure proper focus while on the road, eliminating the chance for tired driving. Though often overlooked, drowsy driving is a serious danger, rapidly becoming one of the most common causes of fatal accidents today, affecting drivers in much the same way as alcohol. Driving tired can also make you more irritable, quick to anger and making incorrect driving decisions. Before getting behind the wheel, ensure that you are well rested, and that you pass on the driving responsibility when you become too tired to go on.

Lastly, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to reach your final destination. By inviting the possibility of being late, you will start increasing your speeds, making dangerous road maneuvers and increasing your stress. On a long trip, a number of unplanned stops are to be expected, and it is important to appropriate time for them. Combined with the rest of these road trip planning tips, your next trip can be a relaxing vacation, free from frustration or the chance for a dangerous driving situation that could lead to an accident.
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