Road trips seem simple at first. You buy some snacks, get in the car, hit the road, and go. But it doesn’t take long before you start hitting traffic and dealing with fatigue. Just a couple hours into a trip makes it clear that staying safe requires effort. Driving long distances increases your risk of getting into an accident and the longer you stay on the road, the more chances there are for something to go wrong.
To keep your road trips safe and fun, here are some tips for driving intentionally and responding to what’s happening around you on the road.
Pay attention on the highway
Sometimes freeways can seem like a time to relax with your car on cruise control but that’s a dangerous perception. No matter how sparse the traffic is on a highway, a vehicle can come out of nowhere at any moment or brake hard in front of you. While any crash can be serious, you need to be especially cautious around large trucks.
According to data gathered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2021, large trucks were involved in 523,796 crashes that resulted in 5,788 fatalities and 154,993 injuries. A total of 72% of all deaths were occupants of other vehicles. These numbers should be all you need to take driving on the freeway seriously.
· Stay out of blind spots. Commercial trucks like semis and tractor-trailers have huge blind spots on all four sides, most prominently on the right side and directly behind them. If you can’t see the driver in their mirror, they can’t see you. Don’t hang out in a driver’s blind spot because you’re risking getting sideswiped or cut off. Pass large trucks fast and don’t linger.
· Keep your distance. Never follow a large truck too closely. You won’t be able to see the road and if that truck suddenly brakes, you won’t have time to react. Trucks need more distance to stop and that can create a hazard if you’re too close, especially if you can’t change lanes to get away.
· Be cautious when passing. Passing large commercial trucks should be done quickly and only on the left. It takes more time to pass a truck compared to a car, so you’ll need a longer stretch of road ahead to make it work. However, once you pass a truck, don’t cut back into the lane too fast. Move far enough ahead to give the truck some space so they don’t need to brake.
· Watch for and expect wide turns. Semis and tractor-trailers swing out wide in the opposite direction before making a turn. Never try to squeeze by a truck even if you don’t think it’s turning. Many cars get sideswiped after squeezing between a truck and the curb to turn right, not realizing the truck swung left to make the same right turn.
While it’s important to maintain safe speeds on the freeway, you also need to stay aware of your surroundings, especially around large trucks. On a road trip, there’s a good chance you’ll be driving on the highway for many hours at a time so make sure you stay safe.
Get your car inspected before you leave
It’s a good idea to get your car professionally inspected before heading out on a road trip. A long trip will put more stress on your car than everyday driving, and you don’t want a small issue turning into a big problem when you’re far from home.
· Tires. Check your tires for proper inflation and tread. Bring a portable air compressor with you on your trip just in case you need to fill your tires and there’s no gas station nearby.
· Fluids. Top off your oil, coolant, power steering, and windshield washer fluid before you leave. Since you shouldn’t top off brake fluid, if your reservoir is low, get your brakes checked and repaired if needed before you leave.
· Battery. Test your battery to make sure it’s strong enough for your trip. If it’s old, it’s worth replacing it before you leave. And instead of carrying only jumper cables, it’s smart to carry a portable jump station that doesn’t require another car or battery.
· Lights and signals. Make sure all your lights and turn signals are working.
A simple inspection before you leave can keep you from getting stranded somewhere unfamiliar and far from home.
Stay safe on your trip
Embarking on an enjoyable and safe road trip isn’t hard when you stay alert, manage your focus, and ensure your vehicle is in good shape before you leave. The safer you drive, the more fun you’ll have on your trip.
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