One thing that is easy to overlook when planning a road trip is safety. With all of the excitement you may feel at the thought of finally getting the opportunity to get a car rental for your road trip and get away from it all, you might not realize how vulnerable you truly are when you travel away from home. Fortunately, here are some measures you can take to increase road trip safety and your level of enjoyment while you are out on the roads.

Always Check Your Vehicle

Sure, you may have gotten a great deal from the rental company, but that doesn’t absolve your need to double check your vehicle to ensure that it is safe and ready to ride for the long run. Check the tire treads, fluids and fuel level. Don’t forget to check the coolant and transmission fluid levels and all lights and mirrors. The goal is to make sure that everything is right before you hit the road. The last thing you want to end up dealing with is a breakdown when you’re miles away from home that could have been prevented.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not just for people who fly or go on cruises. It is a form of protection for anyone who travels. A road trip provides the perfect opportunity for you to invest in coverage to provide some extra financial security for you and your items should an unexpected event occur that results in your injury or the loss of your things.

Bring an Emergency First Aid and Roadside Kit

Accidents don’t always occur when you expect them to. In the event of an issue that causes a flat tire or you accidentally lock yourself out of your vehicle, an emergency roadside kit is invaluable. Instead of you having to wait around on an emergency roadside assistance provider and lose valuable time from your vacation, you can fix the tire or get into the car and resume your trip as if nothing happened. The same goes for minor medical issues. Having a first-aid kit can keep you from having to find bandages, antiseptic ointment/spray and other essentials when you have issues that are not serious enough to warrant professional medical attention, but major enough to cause you discomfort, stress and pain.

Take Advantage of Breaks and Rest Stops

You’ll be doing a lot of driving on your road trip. At some point, you’ll need to take a break to get some rest. Instead of trying to pull all-nighters or drive until you can no longer keep your eyes open, schedule in breaks and rest stops every so often before you need them to ensure you are not driving while fatigued. Drowsy driving is a leading cause of accidents and is sure to put a damper on anyone’s vacation. You should drive when you are well-rested and alert enough to do so safely.

No matter the number of miles you plan to travel, you’ll enjoy the freedom and sights that being on the road brings. With careful preparation and the previously mentioned safety pointers, you can make your road trip a fun and safe vacation.

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