Spring Break Road Trip Safety Tips

Spring break is right around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time for a road trip. Whether you’re traveling near or far, staying safe is critical. Here are some road trip safety trips to make your travel a breeze.

Poor Road Conditions Winter can bring a variety of unfavorable road conditions like potholes and springtime is a common time for cities to begin road work. While driving to your final destination, keep an eye out for significant potholes, which can damage your tires or car. Road work can also mean adjusted speed limits, so be sure to pay attention to road signs in work zones.

Alcohol and Impaired Driving Spring break is a time to get away, relax and have fun and for many, that means indulging in alcoholic drinks. But don’t forget that alcohol can impair judgment and actions, and you should never get behind the wheel when you’ve been drinking.

Instead, designate a sober driver each evening or better yet, don’t plan for anyone to drive at all. Cabs and other modes of transportation are common in popular spring break areas.

Traveling in a New Area One of the best parts about traveling for spring break is traveling to and visiting an area you’ve never been before. Before you hit the road, make sure you have a travel plan as well as a backup plan. Don’t depend on just a GPS, either, make sure to invest in a traditional map in case of an emergency or spotty service areas.

To avoid emergencies in an unfamiliar area once you arrive, do your research. Make sure you know which parts of the town you want to stick to, where you want to avoid and how to get back to your hotel from the tourist areas.

Emergencies in an Unfamiliar Area Unfortunately, roadside emergencies can occur and in many cases, there isn’t much you can do about them until they happen. But being prepared for them can go a long way. Keep an emergency road kit handy and write down and program into your phone important numbers like AAA. It can be even better if you know how to identify and fix common problems like a flat tire.

Emergency Road Kit An emergency road kit is a must-have for any car – whether you’re on a road trip or not. You can gather the necessary items and make your own or purchase an already-put together kit. Items that should be inside include:

• First Aid kit
• Reflective warning triangles, warning light or flares
• Jumper cables
• Tire gauge
• Fix-A-Flat or other type of foam tire sealant
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Rain poncho
• Warm blanket
• Ice scraper or shovel
• Car charger for cell phone
• Fire extinguisher
• Gloves
• Clean rags

No matter where you’re headed for spring break, it will be a fun, relaxing time, but make sure you follow these tips to make sure it’s safe, too.