| Wondering how to make this year’s car trip to | | | | act like them) bring along plenty of activities to |
| Grandma’s a safe and happy experience? A | | | | occupy their time. You might want to stick with |
| little extra time and planning can save you hassle, | | | | quieter games and books; do you really want to |
| money, even your life. | | | | listen to that Gameboy chirping at you for 8 hours? |
| Rest up. Before you even get in your car, try to | | | | But remember, this is a great time for family |
| get a good night’s sleep, don’t stay up all | | | | interaction, don’t just set them up with a movie |
| night packing or baking those extra cookies. Driver | | | | and ignore them the whole trip. |
| fatigue is a major cause of car wrecks, and filling up | | | | Wear your seat belt. (Do we really have to go over |
| on coffee or energy drinks won’t take the place | | | | this?) |
| of being well rested. In fact, once the caffeine | | | | Take breaks!! It’s recommended you take a |
| wears off, you’re at risk for a bigger crash, in | | | | break every 2 hours or 100 miles. This is particularly |
| more ways than one! Try not to leave right after a | | | | essential when traveling with kids or pets. It’s |
| heavy meal, when most of us get sleepy, especially | | | | also a good time to switch off drivers to further |
| if you’ve been drinking alcoholic beverages. | | | | avoid fatigue. Stop for food instead of grabbing |
| Plan well. There are many resources out there that | | | | drive-through and eating on the go. Eating while |
| will provide you with information on the best routes | | | | driving is just as big a distraction as phoning, texting, |
| to take, the best times to avoid commuter traffic, | | | | or arguing with the back seat. |
| and weather related road conditions. Check out the | | | | Don’t text. Let a passenger answer your cell |
| Federal Highway Administration’s web site for | | | | phone or wait to return calls and texts when you are |
| links to information on weather and road conditions | | | | at a rest stop. Many states have outlawed phoning |
| and the availability of travel web sites and 511 | | | | and texting while driving, so it isn’t just unsafe, |
| telephone services. If at all possible, try to drive | | | | it’s illegal. Drivers who use cell phones are four |
| during daylight hours when visibility is at its best. | | | | times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to |
| Check up. Make sure your vehicle is safe. Check | | | | injure themselves. |
| the oil, tire pressure, coolant, etc. a day or two | | | | It doesn’t take much to prepare for a holiday |
| before you travel. Don’t leave it until the last | | | | driving trip. If you follow these easy steps |
| minute when you might forget something important. | | | | you’ll find your drive will go much smoother. |
| Make sure you have a good spare tire, jumper cables | | | | Imagine arriving at Grandma’s with a smile on |
| and an emergency kit. If you’re traveling in cold | | | | your face because of a smooth, safe, fun experience |
| weather, a blanket or two in the trunk could be a | | | | instead of a frown of frustration, or worse, not |
| lifesaver. | | | | arriving at all. |
| Bring activities. If traveling with kids (or adults who | | | | |