Road Trip Dangers To Be Wary Of
Going on a road trip this summer? Before you set off, it could be important to protect yourself from potential dangers. Below are some of the common hazards encountered on road trips and how to steer clear of them.
Related: “Ultimate Travel Guide to Vietnam”
Foreign road rules
Road rules can vary around the world. Drivers that aren’t familiar with these rules can sometimes get caught out – and this can sometimes be dangerous. For example, some countries allow you to turn on a red light, while others don’t. Getting this wrong could be disastrous. Make sure to swot up on local driving laws to prevent accidents.
Unsafe routes
Some roads in certain countries are best avoided at certain times of the year. For example, many of Iceland’s F-roads are unusable during the winter due to ice and snow. While such roads are sometimes closed off when they become dangerous, this isn’t always the case. This is why it’s important to research routes beforehand.
Bad weather
Driving in heavy rain, snow or high winds can lead to nasty accidents. When the weather is getting bad, it’s best to pull over and not try to power through it. Better still, look at weather reports before you set off. If there’s a high chance of a storm, consider putting off your travels until it has passed.
Dangerous drivers
There are sadly many poor and reckless drivers on the road. In some countries, the standard of driving can be particularly bad due to a lack of road law enforcement and inadequate driving tests. If you get into an accident and another driver was at fault, it’s likely you’ll be able to make a claim with the help of car accidents lawyers. However, ideally you don’t want to get into an accident in the first place. This is why it’s important to drive cautiously – particularly in places you don’t know very well. If a driver is acting erratically, keep your distance. It’s also important to not adopt bad habits just because other drivers are adopting them (for example, in some countries many people use the phone while driving).
Vehicle faults
It’s important to inspect your vehicle for faults and get them fixed before you set off. Tyre blowouts, steering problems and brake failure are all issues that can be fatal when travelling at speed. Get your vehicle serviced before embarking on a long car journey to make sure that there are no problems that need repairing. Make sure to also check the condition of your vehicle as you’re driving – particularly the tyres.
Fatigue
Driving at night or driving for long periods can put you at risk of losing concentration (or even falling asleep at the wheel). It’s important to take breaks every two hours and to pull over if you are feeling sleepy. If there’s no-where safe to stop, keep yourself hydrated and open a window to help you stay awake and alert. Long straight roads are some of the worst types of road for causing fatigue and should be avoided at night when you are already tired.
When you travel somewhere after planning for a long time, you’re bound to create memories. To hold on to these memories, you need to make sure you commemorate and celebrate the day with the people you went on the journey with.
Having a personalized plan to spend those special moments will create a lasting impression on you that you’re going to remember for the rest of your life. So, get as creative as you can and make the day as memorable as possibl
