Road Trip Safety Tips For Your Next Adventure

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Whether you have graduated college recently, have a break, are taking classes, or working, you may be hoping to squeeze in a road trip before the summer ends. While the goal of the road trip is to relax and have fun, it is essential to be safe to accomplish this goal. There are a few things you can do to help stay safe so you can enjoy your road trip in its entirety.

Have a plan

While it is great to have some flexibility and free time to explore, it is a good idea to have planned ideas. Book your hotels ahead of time and try to plan activities and locations ahead of time. Be sure you have an idea of how long you want to stay in each place along your road trip so you can plan accordingly. Once you have your itinerary planned, let someone else know the address and contact information of each place you will be and stay, especially if you are going on the road trip alone.

Know where you are

Knowing where you are is crucial for your safety. Are you in a safe neighborhood or city? What are your surroundings like? Being aware of these things can be helpful for several reasons. If your car breaks down or you get into an accident, you need to know where you are and the nearest intersection so you can call for help and be located. You also want to let your friends and family members know where you are, so send a text or call them with the name of your accommodations and their contact information.

Image: Leah Newhouse via https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-looking-at-the-map-3935702/

Avoid posting on social media

It can be tempting to document your entire road trip on social media in real time. However, you never know who may see your posts. For your safety and the safety of those with you, avoid posting about your trip until you get home. If you feel the need to post something, post what you did the day before as long as it does not indicate your current location. You should also be mindful of posting when you will be leaving and returning from your trip, especially if you live alone or with roommates who are on the trip with you. Someone can see your post that you are going out of town and attempt to break into your home.

Car and driving

If you are going on a road trip with friends or roommates, choose the bigger car as smaller cars get into accidents more easily and may be less protective. Bigger cars are able to deal with various types of terrain better than smaller cars. Decide amongst the group who will be driving and who is the most reliable driver. This will help ensure everyone’s safety.  The driver should be able to stay awake and focused for extended amounts of time and be able to navigate the group to the destination.

Packing

Packing can seem difficult when going on a road trip. Knowing where you are going and planning for the weather is a crucial step for knowing exactly what to bring. Even if you are planning on going somewhere warm, pack a pair of sneakers. This way, you are prepared for any activity you want to do. Aside from weather and activity-appropriate clothes, pack toiletries and snacks. It is a good idea to have a first aid kid in your car that has things like band-aids, hand sanitizer, and pain medications. Have a portable charger handy just in case you or someone else in your party needs it.

Trust your intuition

Throughout your travels, listen to your intuition. If something seems weird or unsafe, it likely is. While this is important in any situation, it is extra important if you are traveling alone. Bring extra money in case a place you were planning on staying ends up seeming unsafe. It is okay to change your plans if something is telling you that things seem off. Just be sure to communicate the change of accommodations with anyone you told back at home in case they need to reach you or if something happens.

Try to fit in

When you travel, it is important to try to fit in with the crowd and not draw too much attention to yourself, especially if you are alone. Stick with busy areas and if you are traveling with someone else, stick together. Learn the rules and customs of where you are at. When walking around, walk with confidence and purpose. Try to memorize your walking route so that you do not have to be staring down at your phone while you are walking. Avoid wearing clothes or accessories that may draw attention to you. Again, knowing the activities and weather where you are going will help you know what to wear to fit in.

Road trips can be a lot of fun, but your safety is a huge part of what will help you fit in.

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