3 Ways to Make Your Summer Road Trip Safer

The summer is the perfect time to take a road trip. The kids are out of school, business is a little slower and the weather is sunny and beautiful. You can drive to the beach and enjoy the surf and sand, or you can head to the mountains for a cozy retreat. Or, if you like, you can drive across several states and take in the sights.

However long the distance of your trip, it is important that you take the right safety precautions to ensure that you make only good memories. Here are three ways that you can make your summer road trip a safe one:

Perform a Safety Inspection

Before you set off on your trip, give your car a good inspection. Make sure the tires are in good shape and there are no bare batches or exposed tread. Check that all the headlights and taillights are working. Get an oil change if you need one. You don’t want to wait until you’re on the road to learn about problems with the car.

Pack an Emergency Kit

You never know what can happen on the road. You can get a flat tire. Your battery can go dead. You could get in an accident. Pack an emergency kit to help you deal with minor issues. Some things to include are a car jack, tire iron, jumper cables, flares, gas can, and flashlight with extra batteries. Of course, you should also include a basic first aid kit.

Plan Your Route

Though your phone may have GPS on it, looking down at your phone to get driving directions is not safe. Ditto for dealing with a big map. Take the time to plan your route and study it before you go. You don’t need to memorize directions, but you should be familiar enough with the route that you only need to refresh your memory at pit stops along the way.

There are never any guarantees when you’re on the road, but taking these precautions can help you to enjoy a safer road trip this summer. Of course, driving a reliable car is the best way to be safe whether you are driving in town or across the country. As a top Cincinnati used car dealership, McCluskey Automotive has you covered for getting the reliable car. The rest is up to you.