Road Trip Safety: 3 Tips for making it safely to your destination
See How We're Different
or call us: 303-834-1001
‘Tis the season for road travel. Road trip safety is at the top of our list!
Are you planning to hit the road for the holidays? You’re not alone. The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that more than 53.4 million people are expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday this year, up 13% from 2020 and the highest single-year increase since 2005.
Out of all those travelers, about 90% (or 48.3 million Americans) are expected to be traveling by car and AAA anticipates responding to over 400,000 drivers for help over the holiday week. According to State Farm , November is also statistically the most dangerous month to hit an animal on the road.
Here are three road trip safety tips: Make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip ahead. If you’ve been working from home and haven’t used your vehicle as much, it may have been sitting idle more than usual.
-
- Prior to your trip, get an inspection to check key components like the battery, fuel system, tires, brakes, and fluid levels
- Reach out to us to make sure you have comprehensive auto coverage , which typically covers repairs for collisions with animals, after your deductible
- Reduce distractions.
Put the cell phone away! Let other riding passengers text Grandma to let her know your ETA or handle the navigation.
Distracted driving continues to challenge consumers. With the ongoing use of technology in our daily lives, the list of distractions when you’re behind the wheel has grown. According to
Travelers Insurance
, the three biggest tech-related distractions are:
- Taking or making calls
- Engaging on social media
- Using GPS maps/navigation
- Be aware of animals on the road. Reduce the odds of hitting an animal by keeping these tips in mind:
-
- Slow down, especially if you see an animal close to the road
- Stay alert. Scan the road for animals day and night, both in the countryside and in the city
- Pay attention to “deer crossing” and other animal signs. They’re there for a reason
- Be aware of peak season. Deer crashes happen most often during October- December, which is hunting and mating season
- Be mindful of meal time. Watch for animals on the road between dusk and dawn
- Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby
- Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer may cause the animal to scurry away
- If you can’t avoid hitting an animal, brake as necessary, maintain control of your vehicle and don’t veer off the road
And remember, if you end up hitting an animal or needing roadside assistance, pull over safely if you can and take a deep breath. Make sure all passengers are ok and call 911 if needed. Once it’s safe to do so, check if your vehicle is drivable, take pictures of any damage and, if needed, file a claim.
All of us here at Pure Risk Advisors
wish you a safe holiday season and are here to help if you need us!
The post Road Trip Safety: 3 Tips for making it safely to your destination appeared first on Pure Risk Advisors.
Article By:
John Jacquat
Founder & President
Recent Posts
