Traveling Safely This Summer

Friday, June 5, 2015

Traveling Safely This Summer

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

All over the country, summer is vacation season. Most vacations involve travel, and with travel comes an increased risk of accident and injury. That being said, taking vacations is essential to recharging, refreshing, and enjoying life. Instead of foregoing this summer’s vacation to avoid heavy traffic, flat tires, and aggressive or distracted drivers, use the following safety tips to reach your destination safely.

Prepare your vehicle for the trip. Make sure the tires are properly inflated and the tread isn’t excessively worn. If you are not auto-savvy, have a mechanic check the engine, battery, belts, and other parts to ensure everything is in working order. Test the lights and wipers, make sure the wiper fluid is full, and clean the windshield. An emergency road kit (including a flashlight and jumper cables) can be extremely useful if you get stranded.

Always utilize safe driving practices. Wear your seatbelt, don’t drive if you’re tired, and don’t drink and drive. If your vehicle develops problems along the way (flat tire, engine trouble, smoke coming from the hood), immediately pull off the main road and do the necessary repair work or call for help. If possible, do not stop on the shoulder of the highway. This is not a safe area for repair work.

Distracted driving kills. If you need to make a call, pull off the road before doing so. Even hands-free phone usage takes your attention away from the road. Never text, email, or make phone calls while driving. Similarly, you should never watch videos on an iPad, smart phone, or any other device. Looking at GPS screens and manually entering destination information are equally distracting. If anything other than the road requires your attention, pull over and take care of it. Distracted driving puts you and everyone else on the road in danger. In addition to technology-related distractions, eating while driving, changing radio stations, and angry-driving can be just as dangerous. Also, remember that other drivers may be distracted. Always drive defensively and keep ample distance between you and the car in front of you.

Plan ahead. Estimate the duration of your driving time and let others know when you plan to arrive. Have a cell phone charged in case you run into trouble on the road. Expect to encounter various “obstacles,” such as construction, accidents, car trouble, road closures, and detours. Avoid hazardous road conditions at all costs. Although snow and ice are not a concern in summer, other situations (such as flooding, fog, and heavy rain) may arise.

To reach your destination safely, here is a recap of the above tips:

• Prepare your vehicle with proper maintenance and cleaning
• Don’t drive tired
• Don’t drive aggressively
• Never drink and drive
• Keep your focus on the road
• Drive defensively
• Avoid hazardous conditions
• Plan

Contact Malman Law – Car Accident Attorney

At the law offices of Malman Law, we understand that the summer travel season is a favorite time of year for many families. We also know that increased travel comes with increased risks. If you have suffered injuries in any kind of vehicle accident, we can help. Malman Law has helped countless personal injury clients, and we want to help you. Call today for a free consultation about your case.