MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. Hundreds of thousands of drivers will hit the road to visit family and loved ones this holiday season. While many travelers will carpool and others will travel with family or fly, others might find themselves facing a long car ride alone. How can you stay safe while traveling on unfamiliar roads alone?
Here are five tips:
- Carpool if you can. If you don’t have immediate family or know of any friends heading in your direction, consider asking around your dorm room or asking around at work to see if others are heading in the same direction as you. Driving with others is not only safer because you can get help with navigation and help with driving if you get tired, but it also reduces your carbon footprint and can save you money. If you would like to find out more information you can check out this guide at https://bestelddevices.com/best-eld-guide/.
- Make sure your car is tuned up. Winter driving can be more challenging than summer driving. The Globe and Mail recommends that you take your car in for a tune up before hitting the road alone-or with others. Do you have all season or winter tires? Have you had your brakes checked? The last thing you want is to have a breakdown alone during a winter storm or in winter weather. Don’t forget to check your battery, as well. There is no need to stress about it but it would be best to get a mechanic to look over your car before travel, you could also Click Here for one reliable mechanic service to get you safely out on the road.
- BONUS – If you have a truck, you may want to purchase an ELD Device from a site such as https://fleetmastersinc.net/best-eld-devices/ as they can record driving hours, map routes, and much more. This is beneficial as it not only ensures you as a driver don’t drive while tired as it can be hard to keep track of hours when on unfamiliar roads, you will also be following state regulations. Another tip for truck drivers would be to ensure they are FULLY covered by their insurance as it can be extremely costly to repair issues out of your own pocket. You don’t know what hazards are on the roads so you’d rather be safe than sorry. Visit https://www.isisinsurance.co.uk/truck-insurance/ to learn more.
- Plan your route ahead of time. Set your phone or GPS to your destination and preview the route so that you learn major turn offs and junctions. Bring along a paper map, just in case, and familiarize yourself with the roads you’ll be taking before you leave home. Good Housekeeping recommends that you plan your route ahead, including knowing where you’ll stop for gas and pit stops, that way you never find yourself lost, looking for gas on unfamiliar rural roads. By planning ahead, you can stop at rest stops, in larger towns or cities, or at familiar spots along the way.
- Bring a car phone charger. A car phone charger will allow you to keep your car phone charged while you are driving. Some people even carry an extra battery when traveling, just in case.
- Have a safety kit. Winter driving poses unique hazards on account of the weather. Bring blankets, water, snacks, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and shovel. If you take medications, you might want to bring extra medications and supplies. The best way to avoid a breakdown in bad weather is to check the weather before you go. If there is a snow storm predicted, plan your route to avoid the storm, or delay your travel until conditions are safer.
Driving in new places can be thrilling. It can also be wonderful to head home from the holidays. However, winter driving poses its unique hazards, such as black ice, the risk of a breakdown in poor weather, and the risk of poor weather itself.
The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino are personal injury lawyers in Minneapolis, Minnesota who wish drivers safe holiday travels. If you or a loved one has been in a crash in Minneapolis, Minnesota, visit us at https://www.martinmontilino.com/ to learn more about your options or rights.
THE LAW OFFICE OF MARTIN T. MONTILINO, LLC
3109 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: (612) 236-1320