On the Road Again? Here Are Tips to Keep You Safe
Top Car Accessory helps you get quality and good information about your car accessories and electronics, with unbiased reviews and a lot of informative posts on car accessories and electronics for your vehicles ranging from passenger cars to off-road cars, to SUV or light trucks and to your heavy truck.
Are you planning a trip this season but don’t want to fly? A road trip may be the answer. But, as you gear up to hit the highway, you’ll want to take some steps now to ensure that your trip is as safe as possible. The following post presented by Top Car Accessory offers tips on how to do just that.
Prioritize vehicle maintenance.
When you’re planning to go by car, Sun Auto Service notes that you want to make sure the car is ready for the road. Take your vehicle into your local service shop for a fluid, wiper, and tire check. You should also have your brakes inspected and, if it’s been a while, go ahead and change the oil. Simple maintenance tasks will make your vehicle safer and more efficient. While you’re at it, take it to the car wash and invest in floor mats to keep the carpet clean from salt and other roadway contaminants.
Know your navigation.
If your car does not have an updated, built-in navigation system, download one on your phone. Tripsavvy suggests that the best overall GPS app is Google Maps. Waze is also a popular option and one that can help you avoid traffic delays. A few days before the trip, look ahead to see if there are any major construction projects going on between you and your city of destination.
Make sure you are covered.
Accidents happen, and your insurance is responsible for footing the bill. Unfortunately, if it has been a while since you’ve reviewed your coverage, you may not have enough. As Allstate explains, there are many different types of vehicle insurance. This includes liability, uninsured motorists, comprehensive, collision, medical payments, and personal injury. You may also invest in towing and labor coverage and add on riders that will reimburse you for transportation expenses or ridesharing costs if something happens while you are on the road.
Plan properly.
Vehicle travel this year may look the same as ever, but rest assured your destination won’t. When you’re traveling, make sure to check availability well in advance and confirm that your chosen accommodations will be cleaned and sanitized before your arrival. You’ll also want to make sure that you pack plenty of masks, sanitizing wipes, and other sanitary products so that you can reduce the spread of the virus.
Also, if you’re a business owner, you’ll want to plan for your absence while you’re away from the office. In addition to wrapping up any tasks and crossing off important deadlines, clearly communicate to your staff when you plan to return and what to do in case of an emergency. If you’re going to be away for a few days, delegate tasks to your employees. A good rule of thumb: If an employee can do a task 80 percent as well as you, it’s acceptable to delegate the task.
Stock up.
Something else you can do to reduce your contact with other people during the pandemic is to stock up on road supplies before you leave. Bottled waters, snacks, and tissues are an invaluable addition that can keep your pit stops to a minimum. And when you do have to make an inevitable bathroom break, you’ll want plenty of disinfecting wipes in your bag.
Stay close to home.
Instead of taking a long road trip, consider staying near home. You create a new experience for you and your family by renting a vacation home locally. These homes come with amenities like fully equipped kitchens, keyless locks, professional cleaning services, and 24/7 support if any issues arise.
When you’re planning a road trip so that you can safely socially distance but still visit family and friends, safety is your number one priority. This starts with ensuring your accommodations are cleaned and sanitized and also includes things like knowing your insurance is up to date and packing plenty of supplies. Perhaps more important than any of the above: have fun!
Image via Pixabay
