For families in Ohio, the holidays often mean travel. No matter where you’re heading, it’s possible you’ll face the dangers of bad weather, slick roads or traffic congestion. Even if you’re a cautious driver, you may not always be able to avoid a car accident. With thousands of wrecks happening each year all over the United States, doing your best to make your road trip safer is important. Follow these holiday road trip tips to get through those unpredictable travel conditions.
Schedule a car check-up
The last thing you want to deal with is a breakdown that could have been prevented. Schedule a quick check-up before you travel. Have your mechanic check the oil, tires, windshield wiper fluids and other areas that could be cause for concern.
Map out your route in advance
Decide which route you’re taking well in advance and share it with others. Let close friends, neighbors or family members know when you plan to arrive to your destination so that they’ll be looking for you. Even if you’re familiar with the route, check road conditions for updates that have happened since you drove it last, such as:
- Bridges being worked on or replaced
- Roads closed for repairs
- Other changes that may have occurred
Don’t travel too long at one time
One of the leading causes of car accidents is drowsy driving. Even a minor wreck can lead to severe personal injury, so keep yourself and other drivers safe by planning on plenty of breaks during your commute. Take a pit stop at least every two to three hours to move around and clear your head.
You can make the most of your trip by practicing safe driving protocols that can help get you to your destination as safely as possible. However, you can’t control every other driver on the road. If you get injured in an accident due to another driver’s reckless behavior, an attorney may help you explore your legal options for pursuing compensation.