Are you planning a summer road trip? Here are some tips to help you prepare for your adventure. In this article, we will discuss the necessary steps you need to take before hitting the open road to make your road trip as enjoyable as possible. As an auto body shop, we recommend first evaluating the safety of your vehicle before undergoing any specific planning, which may include needing a car safety check and services such as a headlight restoration.
Do a Maintenance Check of Your Vehicle.
To ensure that your vehicle won’t let you down during the road trip, it’s important to ensure it is in safe working condition. At Col’s Body Shop, we encourage you to:
Make a Packing List.
Making a packing list of items you’ll need for the trip is the best way to ensure you don’t leave anything behind. You can format this list in checkboxes to efficiently pack and purchase commodities that you wish to take on your road trip.
Pack a First Aid Kit.
Safety should be the number one priority when preparing for a summer road trip. Whilst no one expects accidents to happen, it is extremely important to be prepared and aware that they can happen at any time – even though you may not even be at fault!
Plan Your Route.
Another crucial step in the planning stage is to map your route in advance. This will help you avoid getting lost and allow you to take into account specific road conditions or detours that may impact your trip.
Pack Snacks and Drinks for Trip Ahead.
Making sure everyone is fed and hydrated during the trip will keep everyone in high spirits (particularly for those traveling with children!). This can make any trip just that little bit more enjoyable and easy-going, which comes as a benefit to the driver who is driving in unfamiliar places and must concentrate.
Check for Traffic Updates and be Wary of Weather Conditions and Potential Warnings.
Road conditions are the most important factor to consider when doing a road trip. Whilst other drivers and their driving style is out of your control, being aware of weather conditions can allow you to avoid danger, including heavy rainfall or hail, to help keep everyone safe and protected in the car.
Be Sure to Have Some Form of Entertainment.
Whilst loud noises and distracting behaviour can be dangerous for the driver, it is important to still have some form of entertainment for a full car, particularly for children. Whether you have decided on listening to music, playing some Netflix for the children in the back seat, or reading a book in the passenger seat, it can often be rewarding to have some sort of task to make the time go by quicker.
Take Rest Breaks and Bathroom Breaks.
While this may seem obvious, rest breaks are the most important step during the summer road trip. Allowing the driver an opportunity to stretch their legs and have some time to rest will make for a safer trip. Plus, this also acts as an opportunity for you to explore new places along the way and make unexpected memories.
Planning a holiday road trip can be both exciting and daunting, but by considering our tips, you can make sure that your road trip is a success. Although, If you do happen to stumble across a few obstacles during your road trip, there is no need to worry! Whilst crashes and breakdowns can put a damper on any road trip, Col’s Body Shop are here to help. As a car body shop, you can be confident we will return your car to you in a pre-accident condition, and within a timely matter.
Simply use our Online Smash Repair Estimate to receive an approximate quote, or contact Col’s Body Shop on 02 9808 2511 and book in to see one of our collision technicians for services including smash repairs, headlight restoration, or other helpful services such as car detailing or car steam cleaning to remove sand and dirt after a road trip.
