You have likely been planning your long-distance trip for a while, so you should have made time to ensure a few basic things have been carried out and that you are well prepared; however, in the event that a long journey has appeared at short notice, you will still need to undertake the same checks with the same level of detail that you would have done if you had more time to prepare.
With this in mind, here are several factors you need to consider if you are heading out for a long journey any time soon.
Get Your Car Roadworthy
It goes without saying that you ensure your car is roadworthy before setting out on any trip and even more so when planning a long-distance journey. Ensuring your brakes and all your lights are working well and that your tires are pumped with the proper amount of tread is vital. Plus, you have to make sure all of your fluid levels are good as well.
Suppose you’re in doubt about any of the checks you should carry out, or you’re not particularly knowledgeable on vehicle maintenance. In that case, you can always book your car into a garage to get a qualified mechanic to look over your vehicle and carry out safety checks on your behalf.
Plan Your Route
It is essential to plan your route carefully and schedule plenty of stops for leg stretches and food breaks to give your mind and body a rest from driving. Also, where possible, stop for overnight stays in motels to keep your senses fresh if you plan on driving for more than a day.
When you are planning your route, you should make sure you have variations available to you so that you still have an idea of where you are going if you happen to get diverted.
Covering Your Journey
By setting out your journey, you will also be able to work out which areas you will be driving through so that you can have the contact details of the respective emergency services to hand. Highway laws and regulations differ from region to region, and having the details of emergency services in the place you find yourself in could prove invaluable. Plus, one emergency contact many travelers forget about is a vehicle accident lawyer, and if they get in an accident, they find themselves hurriedly searching for one – which can be difficult if in an unfamiliar area far from home.
This is why it’s useful to have a short list of lawyers stationed in the particular area where you will travel in case you’re involved in an accident. For instance, if you happen to be involved in a road traffic collision in California, you could research car accident lawyers in that state and take note of their phone numbers – just in case. Firms like https://therawlinsfirm.com/auto-vehicle-accidents/ are a good example of what to look for in these instances.
Pack Extra Provisions
Although you may very well be planning to stop at eateries along the way to take on board fluids and foods, it is still a good idea to make sure you have plenty of snacks and drinks to hand throughout your journey. This is so that if you get stuck in traffic, you have something to consume that will keep you going until you reach your destination.
It also means that should you break down, you have sustenance so that you and your passengers don’t get hungry while waiting for roadside recovery to arrive – which can take several hours in some cases, especially if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
