You know to drive slower in the rain and snow. You know to carry tire chains if you’re headed to the mountains. Heath’s Auto Repair isn’t going to write a blog post that makes you say, “Thank you, Captain Obvious” after reading it. Rather, we’d like to offer some holiday driving safety tips that you might not have thought of which we hope will ensure safe holiday travels for you and yours.
Research Your Drive
Yes, you’re going to your parents or grandparents just as you do every year, but take advantage of modern technology. You know the drive like the back of your hand, but check out the route online to ensure there isn’t unexpected road work or closures along the way or bad weather. Map out alternate routes, too, just in case you need to take one because of a bad accident or other traffic inducers.
Purchase a Car Charger
If you don’t have a car charger for your cell phone, now is the time to get one. If you do get stuck in unanticipated traffic or your phone loses charge for some reason, you’ll need to charge it while you drive. You don’t want to end up in a pickle with a dead cell phone, so purchase a car charger, a USB-to-12-volt adapter, or whatever will work in your vehicle so you can charge your phone if you need to.
Take Care of Yourself
Hopping in the car, swinging through Starbucks, and hitting the road on a mission to beat last year’s driving time is not a good idea. Two of the most common causes of driver’s fatigue is dehydration and driving too many hours without a break. Plan frequent stops throughout your route to allow for potty breaks and for everyone to get out of the car to stretch their legs and breathe in some fresh air.
Also, avoid junk food and fatty snacks. Fatty and sugary foods make you sleepy, which makes you a danger on the road. Avoid sugary coffee drinks and sodas and opt for bottled water instead. You can use a restroom at each stop. To keep your energy up, snack on foods high in protein, such as nuts or seeds, rather than candy or cookies. The drive will go much easier if you take care of yourself along the way.
Check-In
Before you leave, give your trip itinerary to a family member or friend. Also, check-in along the route with this person to let him or her know where you’re at. If something happens and you don’t arrive at your destination, the person will know exactly what to tell emergency personnel in terms of your last check-in point and the route you were driving so they can find you quickly and easily.
Finally, let Heath’s Auto Repair in Flagstaff, AZ, inspect your vehicle before you hit the road to ensure safety and reliability. Call us to set up an appointment today.
