A road trip here in the U.S is almost a right of passage. Being able to travel from state to state over long distances allows you freedom to experience these new and beautiful places and create unforgettable memories with family and friends. In fact, after the 2020 pandemic road trips are more popular than ever before. In the years since the pandemic over 60% of Americans state that they plan on going on a road trip every year.
However, a road trip can come with its own unique set of challenges that your typical day to day outing does not have, particularly when it comes to your safety on the road.
As your Salt Lake City car accident lawyers, we understand the desire to go out and travel the world from the comfort of your car. We also understand the importance of staying safe on your journey. Before you head out on your next adventure, make sure that you do not fall victim to the five most common mistakes that a driver can make.
1. Ignoring Vehicle Maintenance:
Vehicle maintenance can be a chore. Taking proper care of your car or truck can result in precious time lost out of your day. For most Americans the task of staying up to date on vehicle maintenance can be daunting, but it should not be overlooked.
During a road trip you will drive several hours and hundreds of miles, this sustained driving can take a serious toll on your vehicle. If your car does not have the proper maintenance it may not even be able to complete this trek and can result in breakdowns, or even worse, traffic accidents.
How Can You Avoid This Mistake:
Avoiding mechanical failures can be a breeze as long as you take the time to check your vehicle before you leave, make sure to :
- Check All Fluids: Ensure that engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid are all at their correct levels. If any below the level needed, make sure to replenish them before you leave.
- Check Your Tires: Tires, while arguably the most important part of your car are often forgotten about when it comes to vehicle maintenance. To keep yourself safe from any possible blow out be sure to check your tires and see if they are at their correct PSI (32-36 for most vehicles.) You should also check your tire tread. You can do this easily by using the penny test, simply put a penny into the tread of your tire with Lincoln’s head facing the tread. If the top of his head is still visible then your tires are below the legal tread limit.
- Check For Any Problems: Do a once over of your car before you leave. Check to see that all of your headlights, turn signals, brake lights, wipers are working properly. If your dashboard is displaying any check engine lights take the time to take your vehicle to a shop to make sure that everything is in proper working order.
2. Drowsy Driving:
Loads of people drive when they are tired, especially when taking a long trip, but did you know that drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving drunk?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, being awake for 17-19 hours is comparable to having a blood alcohol content level of 0.05%. For reference, that would be the same as driving at the legal blood alcohol limit for the state of Utah!
Driving drowsy can be extremely dangerous and can result in poor decision making as well as changes in your reaction time.
How You Can Avoid Drowsy Driving:
Before you get behind the wheel consider taking the following steps to counteract driving while exhausted.
- Get Adequate Rest: Make sure that you are able to get a good night’s rest before you leave on your trip. If you have to leave early in the morning, consider going to bed earlier to make up for any potential losses in sleep.
- Take Regular Breaks and Take Turns Driving: Even if it adds time to your trip, plan to stop either every two hours or 100 miles. You can use this time to stretch, walk around, eat, and most importantly give yourself a break from driving. If you are driving with passengers this can also be a great opportunity to switch drivers so that everyone is wide awake while driving.
- Recognize the Signs of Fatigue: If your eyes feel heavy, if you start drifting out of your lane, or you are struggling to focus on the road ahead of you, you are most likely tired. Take a moment to pull over to a safe location to rest, taking a short nap can also help you get rejuvenated for the trip ahead of you.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving:
A long journey can make you restless and it may give you the urge to get to your destination as fast as possible. This impatience can lead many Americans to drive irrationally and dangerously, leading to speeding and aggressive driving.
Speeding and aggressive driving are the most dangerous actions you can take on the road. These hazardous behaviors include tailgating, constant lane changing, and road rage and they all drastically increase your chances of getting into a traffic accident. In fact, here in Utah the number one cause of car accidents is speeding as of 2023.
How To Avoid Aggressive Driving:
- Follow Speed Limits: Try your best to stick to the speed limit; they are there to keep you safe, not to keep you from going as fast as you want. Make sure to adjust your speed according to the flow of the traffic as well as the road conditions to ensure that you are safe.
- Practice Patience: Before you start your trip acknowledge that delays and slow downs will be a part of your trip. Try your best to not let any slow downs or delays affect your mood as a driver and remember to stay courteous to all other drivers.
- Utilize Cruise Control: One of the simplest ways to combat speeding is to utilize your vehicle’s cruise control. Cruise control can help maintain your speed and help with any urges to drive well beyond the speed limit.
4. Distracted Driving:
Distracted driving kills. It is quickly becoming the leading cause of road accidents, and can result in extreme car accidents leading to severe injuries and even death.
According to the Utah Department of Safety from 2017-2021 there were over 25,000 car accidents caused by distracted driving, making your focus on the road crucial to a safe road trip.
How to Avoid Distracted Driving:
- Limit Common Distractions: The most common distractions you have on the road consist of texts, phone calls, eating or drinking, adjusting the radio, changing your music, as well as engaging with the passengers in your car. For your safety and the safety of everyone else in the car try your best to limit these distractions. Use your hands free alternatives if needed to interact with your phone, or have a passenger answer and reply to any messages. Pull over or stop to eat your food instead of attempting to eat it while you drive, and designate a passenger to be in charge of music and navigation.
- Plan Ahead: Try and finish any menial or small tasks that could take your eyes off the road before you start driving. Before you leave, set your GPS to your destination, adjust your mirrors, and select what you will be listening to to avoid any distractions later on the drive.
- Stay Focused: Driving for long periods of time can be difficult, and maintaining your focus can be just as difficult. If you are struggling to stay focused pull off into a safe location and take a break, or switch driving with another passenger in the car.
5. Underestimating Weather Conditions:
Weather can be the most unpredictable part of any journey as it can change rapidly, especially when traveling through different regions. It can be easy to underestimate the impact that rain, snow, fog, or wind can have on your drive, but don’t be too quick to ignore the weather.
Weather conditions can be attributed to 21% of all car accidents in the United States according to the NHTSA, making it vital to drive carefully through any adverse weather conditions.
How to Be Prepared For Weather Conditions:
- Check the Forecast: Before you leave, check the weather along your route at major cities and towns to be prepared for any weather that you may encounter.
- Drive Appropriately: If you are driving in rain or snow make sure that you drive to match the weather conditions, this typically means slowing down to adjust for changes in stopping time or due to a decrease in visibility. If you are travelling through snow and rain make sure that the speed at which you drive you feel safe driving.
- Have Emergency Supplies Available: In the case of serious weather conditions it is always best to be prepared. Stock your car with blankets, extra food and water, a flashlight, as well as a first aid kit. Being well prepared can help keep you safe in case of an emergency.
- Know When to Stop: If the weather becomes too severe, or you feel unsafe driving, find a safe place to pull over and wait out the weather until driving conditions improve.
A road trip is not just a fun way to experience our beautiful country, but a way to form memories with those around you. You should not have to worry about the tragedies that can occur on our roads, but you should always be prepared for the worst case scenario.
As your Salt Lake City car accident lawyers we encourage you all to try your best to not fall for these common mistakes, and set aside the time to properly prepare for your next journey. Remember there is no destination if you can’t complete the journey in one piece.
If something does go wrong and you are injured in a car accident make sure to contact our team of the best car accident lawyers in Salt Lake City at LifeLaw Personal Injury. Our team takes pride in getting you the best possible outcome for your case, as well as our exceptional client communication. If you were hurt and it was not your fault, call us today for a free consultation and to discuss your next steps. We are here to help you throughout the process every step of the way.