Hit the Road, Jack!
By No Author
Learning & Life Columnist
A road trip will be a source of memories for years to come. Let's hope they are memories of the happy and fulfilling kind. If you work to prepare for your "on the road" vacation, you'll have less to do to keep things smooth and enjoyable once you're traveling. Of course, the best adventures are usually the ones that come as unplanned surprises. However, seasoned travelers know that a little preparation makes the difference between an adventure and a catastrophe.
Things you can do to make your travel safer
Before you pack
Even before you start to choose your travel dates and select your wardrobe, you have to choose a destination. If you're traveling alone, the choice is easier. Traveling with a spouse, with friends, or with the whole family requires honesty, diplomacy, and negotiation. Forced compromises and unhappy travel companions can not only ruin a vacation experience, they can also lead to unsafe tensions and arguments along the way.
Talk to your Automobile Insurance Provider
Another pre-trip concern is your automobile insurance. Make sure that your premium payment will not fall due while you are on the road. You should also get in touch with your automobile insurance provider and describe your planned trip. There may be special considerations or additional coverage needed to encompass the particular contingencies of your journey. If you plan to drive over a national border, even for a short day trip, you'll need special automobile insurance just for that purpose.
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is designed to reward careful drivers over the age of 50 with savings of up to $300 on their insurance premiums.
Check yourself as well as your car
Taking care of your car before you travel seems like the most natural thing in the world. You check the brakes, change the oil, and make sure all the major mechanical systems are in order. However, one of the most important driving systems is often overlooked. That is the drivers themselves. Having a health exam before you get behind the wheel may be the most important thing you can do. Tell your doctor that you are planning a road trip. The dosage or scheduling of any medications you take may need to be adjusted. You also have to prepare for the trip. Make sure you have a nutritious diet and enough exercise and sleep for at least a week before you travel. Your alertness, and therefore your safety, may depend on it.
It's not only the birds that travel when the weather warms up. This could be the year you take the driving trip you've been dreaming about. Make sure you're well prepared!
Expect the best, prepare for the worst
Even though your car has been checked over before your departure, it never hurts to plan for the unexpected. In the event of an unlucky flat tire, engine trouble, or an accident, emergency roadside assistance can offer you piece of mind on the road. There are several roadside assistance programs that can cover you on your travels.
