Are You Prepared For Summer Road Trip Emergencies?
Piling into the car for a family adventure is part of the American tradition, but any long road trip risks problems such as breakdowns, flat tires, and more. These issues range from mild inconveniences to vacation-destroying delays, but it's often easy to avoid the worst possible outcomes. In many cases, a little preparation is all that's necessary to keep a roadside emergency from derailing your adventure.
Getting Ready for Your Trip
Safe trips start with plenty of planning and preparation. While it can be appealing to make a last-minute decision to hop into the car and go, it's usually not a great idea if you want to ensure a smooth and drama-free trip. If you're planning on a fairly long vacation, you'll want to take these basic preparation steps in the days and weeks before you leave:
- Perform any overdue or upcoming routine maintenance on your car
- Build a basic roadside emergency kit
- Print out directions as a backup, especially for long trips
- Check tire pressure the day you leave
- Consider subscribing to an emergency roadside assistance service
These simple steps will help you avoid many common problems and help keep you safe in an emergency. Of course, the unexpected can still strike, no matter how much time you spend getting ready.
Dealing With Emergencies
What happens when you've done everything right and still find yourself stuck on the side of the road? Step one: don't panic. Roadside emergencies can be stressful in the moment, but they're rarely dangerous. Always start by ensuring your vehicle is well outside the traffic flow, and make sure that everyone stays inside the car if possible.
Visibility should always be your top priority when stuck on the roadside. Keep your lights and hazards on, even during the daytime. The more visible you are, the easiest it is for other motorists to see you, and the more likely it will be for your roadside assistance driver to find you. Warning triangles or cones can be helpful but only set them up if you can safely exit your vehicle.
If possible, rely on your roadside assistance service to recommend and choose a local towing company to help you. This approach saves you from having to check reviews and find a nearby tow, especially if it's late at night or you're in a rural area. Instead, you can trust that they will select a reliable provider to reach your location as quickly as possible.
For more information about emergency roadside assistance, contact a local company.