10 “Hit-the-Road!” Travel Safety and Comfort Tips

With a little advance planning, car travel can be a great experience for the entire family. Here are 10 ways to help keep everyone safe and happy on the road ahead…

  1. Traveling with pets doesn’t have to be a circus on wheels! Get your furry friends acclimated by taking short drives with them beforehand, but remember to keep them safe with specially-designed animal harnesses or pet crates.

  2. For every two hours behind the wheel, make a pit stop to stretch your legs and take a breath of fresh air. Drive no more than 8 hours a day. Professional drivers (truckers) are prohibited by law to drive more than this without a mandatory 3-hour rest.

  3. Are your kids buckled in? You do the same. Air bags alone can’t do what the simple seatbelt can: give you a better shot against serious injury. In 2001, seatbelts saved 12,000 American lives. Which statistic would you prefer to be?

  4. Traveling with your children can be a battle or a blessing. Keep the atmosphere in the car light and fun. Play music you can all agree on (or else take turns so that each person can listen to a favorite CD). Keep a stash of kid-friendly, healthy snacks on hand like dried fruit, bottled water, crackers, juice boxes, pretzels, fresh fruit, and string cheese. Play “I Spy” or the license plate game… or make up a game of your own. Before you know it, you’ll be at your destination.

  5. Be prepared! Keep a stash of the following in your car at all times: antibacterial hand gel or wipes, tissues, bottled water, aspirin for both adults and kids, a first aid kit, paper towels, and a pen and paper (in case you get lost and need directions). These simple things can be real “lifesavers!”

  6. Here’s a simple way to keep the kids (and mom and dad) happy on long trips. A few days before you leave, stop at a dollar store and load up on inexpensive toys and games. Make a goodie bag for each child consisting of coloring books, crayons, drawing paper, sticker books, magnetic games, postcards (to write to Grandma), and other fun things. Your kids will love having their own bag of tricks… and you’ll be thrilled to still have your sanity when you arrive at your destination.

  7. Suitcases? Check! Bottled water? Check! Filled gas tank? Check! Everything’s taken care of, right? Wrong! If you’re traveling with kids, make sure that you have child safety seats to accommodate them. Infants and toddlers need to be in actual seats while older children require special boosters. Did you know that approximately 73% of car seats are used improperly? That’s a good enough reason to thoroughly read the manual and check with your car dealer to ensure that car seats are installed the right way.

  8. The best-laid plans are those that are well thought out. Don’t just herd everyone into the car like elephants and take off. Instead, properly plot your course. Make notes on your map. Write the addresses and phone numbers of the places where you’ll be staying in your Day-Timer® Planner. You’ll be less stressed… more organized… and no one (including you!) will need to throw a tantrum.

  9. Use a hands-free cell phone while traveling. If you’re lost and driving around Arkansas with no signs of Busch Gardens Tampa in sight, you can chat and still keep your digits on the wheel. Better yet… pull aside to talk! Or ask a passenger to do the calling while you navigate the tour bus and keep the gang safe.

  10. Sure, you love the feel of the steering wheel on your fingertips… the way your car hugs the road… and the cool breeze in your hair. But your spouse is getting antsy and now it’s your turn to play navigator and your “better half’s” turn to drive. So play switcheroo! You’ll get a much-needed break and you’ll both arrive more refreshed and alert.
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