Safe Driving Tips for Your Fall Leaf-Peeping Road Trip

The leaves are beginning to change in various parts of the country, and the weather will soon begin to cool. The time is prime for checking out nature’s glorious display of life and death, but sightseeing is secondary to safety.

Arrive alive at your destination by taking every measure possible to protect the well-being of your travel party. Here is a brief overview of some safe driving tips that will help you and your friends/family enjoy your fall leaf-peeping adventures in one piece.

Prepare your vehicle for the drive

Before you head out on the open road, you should take steps to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the drive. You don’t want to be involved in a car accident or get stranded due to something simple you could have fixed before you left.

Check the tire tread on your vehicle. Take it in for a tune up or an oil change at the least. Make sure all of your fluids are at a safe level, and check the windshield wipers for efficiency. You don’t want to get caught in a storm with gnarly wipers.

Prepare yourself for the drive

As the driver, you need a full night’s rest before heading out on your road trip. Driving doesn’t seem like a lot of activity, but it tires your mind and sight. You’ll need plenty of rest to navigate without struggling.

Pack a safety preparedness kit

Traveling during the cooler months of the year means that you need to change up your safety preparedness kit. You’ll need blankets, water, flashlights, jumper cables, a spare tire, a car jack, flares, and a minimal first aid kit.

You never know when you could be stuck out in the middle of nowhere in the cold. You’ll be safer overall by packing a few elemental items for your survival.

Prepare for the kids in the car

If you’re traveling with kids in the car, you’ll have to prepare the vehicle for their presence. Kids take a little extra forethought. You may want to turn on the child locks on the doors, lock the power windows, and generall kid-proof the backseat.

Make sure the car seats are properly installed. You can always take your car to the local police department to have the installation checked for security, and always keep your child secured in their seat while driving.

Break up the trip for comfort

Traveling long distances can be hard on anyone, no matter their age. If you have kids along with you on your journey, it’s even more pertinent that you break up the trip. Don’t try to drive for six hours straight without stopping.