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There’s no better feeling than hitting the open road, especially if you’re in a carload of friends, bags packed, and headed to your favorite Spring Break vacation destination. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the mountains, or just across the state, it’s important to remember to stay safe while on your journey.
At Denton, Zachary, and Norwood PLLC Law Firm, we want to make sure you’re prepared if an accident happens to you while traveling for Spring Break. Any time there are more drivers on the road, accidents can and will increase. This is especially important to remember during Spring Break as high school and college students hit the highways. Since most Spring Break road-trippers are younger and more inexperienced drivers, they aren’t used to traveling on unfamiliar roads, which often take them through big cities with heavy traffic.
Before you set out on that trip of a lifetime, here are some tips to help make sure you and your passengers remain safe. These tips will help keep you alert of other drivers and be aware of larger vehicles, like semi-trucks.
10 Spring Break Travel Safety Tips
Tip 1-Plan Your Route Ahead of Time
You can’t always trust your GPS. Check ahead for road closures, construction, and traffic delays you may encounter along the way. You might also want to make a driving schedule so those not driving can rest before getting behind the wheel again.
Tip 2-Ensure Vehicle Maintenance
Before you leave for your trip, make sure to perform a thorough inspection of tires, brakes, fluids, and lights. If you need to have your car serviced, make sure to schedule your appointment ahead of time so it’s ready to go when needed.
Tip 3-Pack an Emergency Kit
There may be circumstances out of your control, and you’re left without the supplies you need. Just in case, always include water, snacks, a flashlight, first aid supplies, spare tire, and jumper cables. Make sure to bring enough phone chargers so everyone can stay fully powered.
Tip 4-Avoid Distractions While Driving
Although your primary goal on a Spring Break trip is to have fun, you must stay focused on the road and minimize phone use or radio adjustments. Designate a copilot to help with directions and another person to manage the playlist so the driver can focus solely on the road.
Tip 5-Take Regular Breaks
“Are we there yet?” No, not yet, because you’ll want to schedule stops to eat, take a bathroom break, or just get out and stretch. Making a pit stop every few hours is essential to prevent fatigue, and who doesn’t love to shop at a good roadside truck stop?
Tip 6-Observe Speed Limits and Traffic Laws
This should be a no-brainer, but sometimes, we get carried away and don’t pay attention to changing speed limits or road signs. Always wear seat belts and follow all safety regulations.
Tip 7-Adapt to Weather Conditions
Sometimes, you can’t predict the weather. Check the forecast for each day of your trip so you’ll be prepared for the day of driving ahead. You may have to adjust your driving behavior for rain, snow, or other severe weather conditions along the way.
Tip 8-Practice Defensive Driving
You might be following all the traffic laws, but that doesn’t mean the driver next to you is driving safely. Watch for others running red lights, cutting lanes, speeding, forgetting to signal, and other bad driving habits that could lead to an accident.
Tip 9-Designate a Sober Driver
Avoid drinking and driving. No one in the vehicle should be drinking to and from your destination while you’re on the road. Once you arrive, if drinking occurs, always have a designated driver to ensure everyone gets home safely.
Tip 10-Prioritize Safety
Above all else, use your common sense to keep you and your passengers safe. Trust your instincts and prioritize safety, even if it means altering plans.
5 Spring Break Travel Tips to Stay Safe Around Semi-Trucks
Tip 1-Maintain Visibility
Avoid lingering in the truck’s blind spots, especially on the right side and directly behind. Use your mirrors and signals effectively to communicate your intentions to truck drivers. Use your horn or lights to alert truck drivers of potential hazards if necessary. If you encounter a truck driver behaving recklessly, maintain a safe distance and report the incident to the authorities if possible.
Tip 2-Keep a Safe Distance
Maintain a safe following distance, allowing at least a four-second gap between your vehicle and the truck. Avoid tailgating, as semi-trucks require more distance to stop than passenger cars. Refrain from making abrupt lane changes or sudden stops in front of trucks. Signal well in advance and gradually merge or change lanes to allow trucks to adjust their speed accordingly.
Tip 3- Be Cautious During Passing
Try not to pass a semi-truck, but if, for some reason, you need to, do so quickly and decisively, ensuring there is enough space ahead before merging back into the lane. Avoid passing on the right side, as trucks have larger blind spots on that side.
Tip 4-Respect Truck Size and Weight
Understand that semi-trucks require longer stopping distances and take wider turns than passenger vehicles. Because semi-trucks are bigger than passenger cars, it’s essential to exercise patience and give trucks the space they need to maneuver safely.
Tip 5-Stay Alert and Focused
Pay attention to traffic conditions and anticipate the actions of nearby trucks. Avoid distractions such as texting, eating, or adjusting electronic devices while driving. This is especially important in heavy traffic or on the interstate where vehicles merge and exit. Following these guidelines and exercising caution can help ensure a safer driving experience when sharing the road with other passenger cars and semi-trucks during your Spring Break travels.
Contact Us Today
At Denton, Zachary, and Norwood PLLC Law Firm, we want to make sure you’re prepared if an accident happens to you. If things take a turn for the worse during your Spring Break road trip and you need expert help, just call us. We’re ready to assist you at any of our convenient locations in Little Rock, Conway, or Cordova. Safety comes first, so watch for all drivers, especially those big semi-trucks, as you hit the road this spring. And if you’ve got any questions or need a hand right now, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us today!