Tips for a Safe Road Trip

Despite domestic travel restrictions in many states, more than 700 million Americans _[1] were anticipated to make cautious, yet more spur of the moment travel plans this year. And for folks who are planning a getaway, 97 percent are in favor of cars as their mode of transportation.

With the road trip making a resurgence as the preferred mode of travel in the U.S., we have put together a handy checklist to help make sure everyone on your trip feels comfortable, happy, reassured, and ready to make memories.

Before you hit the road:

1.  Get a vehicle tune-up
2. Check your insurance and roadside coverage
3. Keep family and friends up-to-date
4. Plan your route and check restrictions
5. Pack appropriately
6. Keep an eye on your home from afar

Get a vehicle tune-up:

Before you consider going on a road trip, schedule a preventative maintenance check-up for your vehicle. Scheduling a tune-up to check oil, tires and your car battery can go a long way toward preventing breakdowns. You should also check for automotive recalls _[2], a frequently-overlooked but critical step that can ensure your vehicle hasn’t been recalled or is in need of repair or replacement parts.

Check your insurance and roadside coverage:

While auto insurance in the U.S. is mandatory, check to make sure you’re up-to-date on payments and you have enough coverage for yourself and others should an accident take place. Additionally, investing in a roadside assistance service or subscription can be a huge help in case of a flat tire or other breakdowns. Roadside assistance can repair your vehicle or tow it, getting you to safety and back on the road as quickly as possible.

Keep family and friends up-to-date:

Share your itinerary with someone not on the road trip, in case of trouble. Give them a day-by-day look at your route, hotels, rest stops, etc. so that if something happens and they are unable to reach you, they have information into your possible whereabouts. It’s also a good idea to share your location with a few folks, through your smartphone or an application. The SoSecure personal safety app from ADT is a great option – and it’s free. After downloading the app, if you feel unsafe, you can discreetly contact ADT and we can call 911 for you. For $2.99 a month (after a 30-day trial), you can also add the TrackMe feature, which allows you to invite ADT or a set group of ‘Guardians’ to track you via GPS and set a timer that, if expired and ADT can’t confirm you’re safe, will notify 911 and/or your ‘Guardians’. Even if your Guardians don’t have the SoSecure app, they can track you in real-time, keeping an eye on you as you travel.

Plan your route and check restrictions:

State restrictions vary. Some aren’t open to non-essential travel, and others have quarantine restrictions. For any states you’re planning to pass through, keep an eye on their websites as information is changing daily. Even if you’re planning on driving through a state without stopping, it’s a good idea to monitor those restrictions as well, should you need to stop to sleep or in case of an emergency. Planning your route in advance – including any stops needed – can help you stay on top of required safety precautions and make a huge difference in your level of preparedness.

Pack appropriately:

We’re not just talking about clothes and toiletries. It’s important to pack an emergency kit in case of trouble. Worst-case scenario, you’re prepared for an emergency and best-case scenario, you won’t need any of the items but you’ll have greater peace of mind. In addition to masks, hand sanitizer and cleansing wipes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration _[3], some items you should consider packing include:

• Water
• Warm blankets
• A flashlight
• Jumper cables
• Flares
• Tools to change a tire
• A fully charged cell phone
• A first-aid kit
  
  

Keep an eye on your home from afar:

If you have a connected smart home security system, you’ll be able to keep tabs on your property even from the road, giving you added peace of mind, whether it’s through the free Blue by ADT app, ADT Control or another platform. Window and door sensors and indoor cameras can be used to help prevent and detect intruders or break-ins, and outdoor cameras can survey your backyard, garage and front door. With a doorbell camera, you can also monitor for any deliveries you might need neighbors to pick up and hold onto for safe keeping.

Road trips can be a more comfortable (and more nostalgic) way to travel this year, and they can be enjoyed most when everyone feels well-prepared – so get ready to hit the road! Investing a little time in the appropriate preparations can make a huge difference in keeping yourself, friends, family and property safe and at-ease.

Sources:

[1] https://newsroom.aaa.com/2020/06/aaa-forecasts-americans-will-take-700-million-trips-this-summer/

[2] https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

[3] https://www.nhtsa.gov/summer-driving-tips

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