Make your road trip safe with these travel tips

It’s that time of year again: you grab your spouse, your kids, your suitcases and your kids’ car games and electronic toys and head out to traverse America’s roads in search of the perfect summer vacation spot.

But, before you head out on the open road, your car safety experts at Ficosa want you to consider some tips to ensure your trip is not only fun but safe for you and other travelers.

Here are some safety tips to make sure your road trip is accident-free:

1.?????Buckle up. This is a very simple safety tip but it’s advice that Ralph Nader has been imparting since the late 1960s. Make sure the kids have their belts on and the babies or toddlers are snug in their latched car seats before taking off.

2.?????Take the car in for service. If you’re using your own vehicle to make the trip, it’s a good idea to take it by the mechanic and have him/her give the Family Truckster the once over to make sure the tire pressure is good, the oil is clean and filled, the fluid levels are all in order and the mechanical aspects of the vehicle are in good shape.

3.?????Carry a spare tire and know how to change it. Your mechanic may have given the tires an OK before the trip, you could still hit something that causes a blowout along the way. In fact, reports estimate that there are 220 flat tires on U.S. roads each year. But getting the spare isn’t enough – you also need to learn how to change it.

4.?????Pack the proper tools. In addition to the right tools to change a tire, make sure you also pack some nonperishable food, water, a basic first aid kit and a reflective vest just in case you have a breakdown.

5.?????Get a two-way car alarm. In addition to the car’s built-in security system, you should also consider a two-way alarm. If your car breaks down on the side of the road or is tampered with in the hotel parking lot, this alarm will signal your cell phone of the intrusion in real-time.

6.?????Have a GPS onboard. Most smartphones come equipped with a GPS these days, but if you don’t have a smartphone or plan to turn it off while on vacation, keep a GPS in the car at all times. It’s also a good idea to keep some paper maps in the car for those times when you’re in the middle of nowhere with no wireless signal.

7.?????Pack some entertainment. Screaming kids and bored adults can make traveling nerve-wracking for the driver. Make sure there are plenty of things for them to do along the way: electronic toys, books and a selection of road games can keep passengers entertained while you do the driving.

8.?????Get some rest. Finally, don’t even head out without getting a good night’s sleep. The National Council on Safety and AAA estimate there are more than 328,000 drowsy driving crashes each year. Don’t add to that statistic by driving sleepy.

In addition to these essential tips, it’s a good idea to be on the alert for drunk drivers and bad weather conditions as you head to and from your vacation destination.

Because we are committed to safety, Ficosa wants you and your family to enjoy your summer trip and get the rest and adventure you deserve. But we also want you to safely arrive at your destination and home again, so make sure you are prepared for life on the road.