If you’re like our family, you’re in the middle of planning fun travel for your family this summer. The end of the school year is right around the corner and that means it’s almost time to hit the road! We’ve got five simple summer driving tips to help keep your family safe on all of your adventures this year!
This post is sponsored by Best Buy. We have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.
5 SUMMER DRIVING TIPS
As my kids get older, we’ve started talking about all of the road trips we want to go on. There are so many places we want to see. While we’re huge fans of heading to the airport and hopping on a plane, there’s just something special about a summer road trip with the family.
I have so many memories of random rest stop discoveries from my own childhood. There’s just something special about the memories you can make on a road trip.
But the most important thing to do is make sure that you and your car are ready to hit the road! So here are five things to consider while you’re doing your summer travel planning!
GET YOUR VEHICLE A CHECK-UP
Before you hit the road, be sure to get your car a check up to make sure it’s ready to adventure with you! Some of the things we have our mechanic check include:
- Oil and filters
- Fluids
- Tire air pressure (including the spare tire)
- Tire rotation
- Battery check
- Brake pads and linings
- Wiper blades
- Any warning or indicator lights that are on
I also make sure everything else is working like the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.
It might be one more thing on your to-do list but it’s better to take care of any issues before you hit the road!
UNIDEN R7 RADAR DETECTOR
The new Uniden R7 Radar Detector can help keep you and your family safe on the road this summer! It’s available at Best Buy and goes beyond picking up police radar!
The Uniden R7 Radar helps you monitor your speed while you’re on the road. You can set a speed and it will let you know when you go above that speed! The voice notification and MAX speed warning system alert you without you ever having to take your eyes off the road!
It’s a great way to ensure we’re maintaining a safe driving speed on all of our road trips!
It also features an easy-to-see color OLED information display and large screen so you can quickly read the information while keeping your focus on the road ahead.
It’s a great addition to your car for your next road trip!
REMEMBER ROADSIDE EMERGENCY & FIRST AID KITS
We just got a new car and it came with a first aid kit which reminded me that I needed to check on the first aid kit that I keep in our van.
There are tons of first aid kits available for the car so you can find one that has supplies that work best for your family.
If you’re putting together your own roadside emergency kit, consider some of these basics:
- Flashlight
- Jumper cables
- Hazard triangles, road flares, or brightly colored help flags
- Tool kit
- Cell phone charger
- Water
- Non-perishable snacks
If you’re going to be traveling a long distance it’s always better to be prepared!
TRAVELING WITH KIDS
Traveling with kids can sometimes present its own challenges. Even the most seasoned child traveler can be tested on a long road trip. Here are some things I try to remember when we’re on the road:
- Double check that their seat belts fit properly BEFORE the trip
- Pack a cooler with plenty of car snacks (so you make it a bit down the road before stopping)
- Stop every few hours to let the kids stretch
- Be flexible in stopping for bathroom breaks
- Don’t be afraid to bring devices along as one of your options for keeping your kids entertained
- Never leave kids unattended in the car
It’s also important for adults to take plenty of stretch breaks and make sure we’re not driving drowsy or tired. No matter how close you might be to that next destination, it’s not worth the risk!
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SHARE THE ROAD
Be sure to follow other traffic at a safe distance. Generally, that means we need to stay 3 to 6 seconds behind the vehicle in front of us. If it’s rainy out, definitely go for a longer distance between cars to give you time to stop unexpectedly!
Remember that if you can’t see the mirrors on a big rig truck, then they can’t see you! So keep your distance with them and remember they also make wide turns!
If you find yourself driving next to a motorcycle, trying picturing the body of a vehicle around it to help you keep a safe distance.
Since you might find yourself on different types of roads, it’s also important to remember that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as we have as motorists. That does include riding in traffic lanes.
With a little prep, it’s easy to have a great time on your summer road trip with the family. Remember to take tons of photos, but also remember to take time to just be in the moment and make those memories together!
Jina says
Good read. Thanks for this. Recently, my family and I went on a weekend roadtrip. Before that, my husband decided to change our old tires with a new set. He said it’s better to be safe on the road and lessen the hassle of getting a flat tire while we’re on the road with the kids.