Road Trip Safety

Over the past two years, travel for most people has come to a standstill. Many are beginning to feel housebound and restless, eager to get out of the house. A family road trip may just be the perfect remedy to explore the province while staying close to home.

Get ready to pack the car, turn up the tunes and enjoy the sites along the way! But before you head on to your mini-adventure, here are some helpful safety tips to keep in mind.

Plan Your Trip

Planning is essential to ensuring hiccups are kept to a bare minimum, so you can enjoy the most out of your trip. You should map out what attractions you would like to stop in to along the way and decide the safest route to get to your destination. Taking all things into consideration, gas or recharging stations, rest stops, and meal options are important for your checklist. Make your reservations ahead of time for any attractions, hotels, or restaurants to confirm availability. Other helpful tips are to check the weather forecasts, road closures, toll routes and any other restrictions along your journey.

Vehicle Maintenance

Before turning on your GPS and hitting the road, be sure to inspect your vehicle for any malfunctions. You should check your tire’s condition and pressure, hear for any unusual sounds while braking, top up your fluid levels, check your head and tail lights as well as your wipers. Everything should be in good working order before your trip!

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the largest causes of collisions, injuries, and deaths on Canada’s roads. “Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 90 km/h, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed,” (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Prior to your road trip, be sure to connect your phone to Bluetooth and remove anything that may of distraction to you while driving. Remember to always keep your eyes on the road to help prevent any accidents.

Communication

Let your family and friends know about your trip plans. You should ask someone to also check in on your home while you’re away to avoid any unexpected circumstances when you arrive back home (i.e., break-ins, floods, package deliveries, etc.). It is also important to notify your family of your whereabouts throughout your road trip, by sending updates as you stop to visit landmarks and attractions.

Vehicle Safety Kit

Everyone should have a vehicle safety kit in their vehicle, even if they are not planning to go on a road trip. A vehicle safety kit may include a first aid kit, water and snacks, tools, flares, reflective safety items and blankets. These kits can be purchased from retailers, or you can assemble one yourself.

Ride Safe with TIM

Wherever the road may take you, ensure you and your family are protected throughout your journey. TIM offers comprehensive automotive insurance for all vehicles including regular use autos as well as ATVs, snowmobiles, motor homes and collector cars. Contact us today to get the coverage you need! theinsurancemarket.com/contact/

For more information about Road Trip Safety visit, Canada Safety Council