Kelley Blue Book’s Summer Driving Safety Tips for Road-Trippers

Despite surging gas prices many LGBTQ+ travelers are choosing to take to the roads for their summer vacation. Citing soaring airfare prices and mass flight cancellations, people prefer to take matters into their own hands by opting for road trips instead. To help ensure road-trippers are prepared for a safe and enjoyable vacation, Kelley Blue Book has provided road-trippers a Summer Driving Checklist and Safety Tips.

According to the AAA, an estimated 42 million people will hit America’s roads for the Fourth of July weekend, a new record surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 1.1%. And with more people on the road and traveling more now; these are practical tips that can be used before you plan your next road trip anytime during the year.

So, before you hit the road, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the experts from Kelley Blue Book recommend the following Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Road Trip:

• Inspect and Maintain Your Vehicle – Routine vehicle maintenance is a must. Perform a basic check of your vehicle’s tire pressure, wiper blades, fluid levels, lights, and air conditioning. Do not defer regularly scheduled services like oil changes, battery checks, and tire rotations; being diligent goes a long way toward preventing breakdowns. If anything seems amiss, visit Kelley Blue Book’s vehicle maintenance pricing and services scheduling page to see if your car is due. Learn more about what to expect for your vehicle’s service and maintenance costs with the Kelley Blue Book Service Advisor.
  
  
• Prepare an Emergency Roadside Kit and Be Prepared for Contingency Plans – Be prepared for any contingency, because plans can change without warning and even a well-maintained vehicle can break down. Prepare an emergency roadside kit to take with you and remember that a cell phone is the most critical emergency item so you can call for help when and where you need it. Be sure to include an extra portable cell phone battery charger in your emergency roadside kit, so you can plug in your phone even if the car does not work.
  
  
• Check for Recalls – Millions of Americans are driving cars that may have safety recalls. Use Kelley Blue Book’s VIN recall check tool to ensure your vehicle is ready to go. If you find a recall for your car, get it fixed right away. Dealerships always will perform recall repairs for free, but their service bays can get swamped ahead of a busy travel season, so check as early as possible to see if your car needs any free repairs.
  
  
• Know the Car – While you likely know your own vehicle pretty well at this point, a rental car can be much different. If you are renting a vehicle, pick it up a few hours before the road trip so you can familiarize yourself by getting to know the different kinds of driver assists and safety features the car has to offer.

Once road trippers are on their way, Kelley Blue Book offers the following On-the-Road Trip Safety Tips:

• Make Child Safety Your Top Concern, Including Hot Car Awareness – All children under 13 years old should ride in the back seat. Be sure you are following all child safety seat instructions closely. Keep hot car awareness top of mind. Being on vacation can interrupt routines and distract you from checking the backseat when exiting the vehicle. Tragically, heatstroke deaths claim an average of 38 children in the United States each year. Pets also are in grave danger when left in a car, even for a short period with the windows cracked. NHTSA reminds everyone to keep their loved ones safe with tips like locking your car when not in use to prevent children from entering, never leave a child alone in the car (even if you think you only will be away only for a moment), and always “look before you lock” so no child or animal remains in the backseat.
  
  
• Drive at Non-Peak Times and Limit Nighttime Driving – Late afternoon and early evening can be the busiest times to drive, and plan accordingly to avoid peak traffic times on long holiday weekends. Limiting nighttime driving is wise to help avoid fatigue and potentially dangerous situations when it is harder to see on the road. If you feel fatigued, stop and rest or switch drivers before putting yourself and others at risk.
  
  
• Let Passengers Handle Traffic Apps and Entertainment – For safety’s sake, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Avoid multi-tasking by putting a passenger in charge of navigation apps and the music or podcast selection.
  
  
• Take Frequent Breaks and Switch Drivers – Occasionally getting out of the car is good for everyone, especially the driver. The best way to avoid fatigue behind the wheel is a regular change of scenery. If your road trip involves multiple qualified drivers, let everyone take a turn handling the driving and relaxing as a passenger.
  
  
• Share the Road – Good weather attracts many roadway users, including motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Because they are more vulnerable without the protection that a car or truck provides, be extra diligent. Leave more distance between you and a motorcycle – at least 3- or 4-seconds worth. Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging, so other roadway users can anticipate your movement and find a safe lane position.
  
  
• Buckle Up – While it may seem unbelievable that we still need to say this, always buckle up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidents remain one of the top leading causes of death for Americans. Give yourself and your loved ones a fighting chance and obey this important traffic law.
  
  
• Pack Masks – Whether everyone in your car is vaccinated or not, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic you may need masks in some shops, restaurants, or attractions you visit. To make things easy, keep masks on hand in the car for everyone traveling.

For more summer road trip tips and information from Kelley Blue Book, visit https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/road-trip-vehicle-safety-tips/.