The holidays are a great time to get away and enjoy time somewhere new and exciting. Holiday travels often lead to holiday injuries, unfortunately. If you plan to be on the road during the holidays, the following are five tips to help keep you safe.
1. Take Your Car in for an Inspection
Before you hit the road, be sure your car is in the best shape possible. Have a certified mechanic give it a thorough inspection. If you’re going to be driving in weather conditions your car isn’t used to handling, mention that to the mechanic. There’s a possibility you’ll need new tires or something else to ensure safety while driving in unique weather situations.
2. Learn How to Drive in the Snow
If your holiday travels are taking you somewhere it snows but you’re from a very dry climate, you may want to learn how to drive in the snow. For example, do you know if it’s ok to pass a plow truck while he or she is plowing snow and putting down salt? If you slip on ice and start spinning one direction, do you know which direction to turn your steering wheel?
3. Map Your Route
You should always know where you are going and which roads you are going to take. Doing this will help you plan gas refill stops, bathroom breaks, and food stops. You should also have alternate routes planned in case of road construction or other unforeseen circumstances. Give your route to someone back home so if something does happen, that individual will know where to look for you.
4. Take Frequent Stops
It’s important you don’t sit in the car for too long. This can cause circulation problems, but it can also give you a headache, make your back hurt or cause you to fall asleep behind the wheel. You shouldn’t put off a meal and you shouldn’t put off using the restroom — supposing there are facilities you can access on a regular basis. If you’re in the middle of nowhere, it’s still important to stop and stretch your legs every couple hours, which also gives you renewed energy to keep going.
5. Carry a Phone Charger
More than likely, you’ll have a cellphone with you, and possibly a charger you can plug into the car. What happens if your phone has gone dead and your car battery dies? A portable charger is a great tool to carry on any road trip. When you stop to eat, plug it in at the restaurant. When you stop to sleep, plug it in at the hotel.
Receiving the Help You Need
Even after you’ve done everything to stay safe while traveling for the holidays, there’s a possibility you could become injured while on the road. Contact a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer from Patterson Bray to get the help you need in dealing with such a situation.
