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Taking a Road Trip
 Every
year, countless people heed the call of the open road. Who doesn't often
want to leave their troubles in their rearview mirror and drive off?
The thought of just packing up the car and heading out of town for a
trip on the "spur of the moment" is a popular one. Only problem
is, many people do it a little too "spur of the moment", without
enough planning - which is usually a recipe for trouble. So whether
your driving the family to a vacation spot or just going solo to "
get away" for a few days, try to use the following advice to have
a successful road trip.
Planning Ahead
When you're planning to go on a road trip, it is a smart idea to
do the following things before you leave:
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Take
your car to a mechanic for a general inspection and have him take
care of any issues that could give you problems once you hit the
road. Try to get this maintenence done a week or so before you leave
to be able to drive the car and make sure the work that was done
properly. Better to find out before you leave than in the middle
of your trip!
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Have
an emergency kit in your car. Here are some important items to have
in it:
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first aid kit and extras of any medication you may need |
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flashlight |
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bottles
of water |
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dried
food (like dried fruit, protein bars, etc) |
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a
blanket |
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Make
sure you have all the auto-related items you may need in the trunk
in case of an emergency. These include:
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a spare tire (fully inflated), tire iron and jack |
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A
can of "fix-a-flat" tire repair |
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road
flares/ reflective triangles to alert drivers passing buy
if you have car problems at night |
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Extra
Engine Oil |
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Spare
Radiator Fluid |
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Jugs
of water (in case your engine overheats) |
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Bottle(s)
of windshield washer fluid |
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Check
to make sure you have all your papers-including your drivers license,
vehicle registration, proof of insurance and phone numbers for roadside
assistance service. Also, BE SURE you have car insurance
before going on any long road trip. Too many things can happen while
driving, and if an accident happens and you're not insured- it can
spell disaster.
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Make
sure someone know where you're going,when to expect you back, and
how to contact you. You never know what to expect on the road, and
if you encounter problems you want someone to be looking for you
if need be.
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Use
the internet. It's a great resource to find needed information for
the trip, like weather, possible construction, etc. It may be a
good idea to also look up the names of some mechanics/repair shops
that you would be in proximity to during your trip. You never know
when you could have a car problem arise - from an engine problem
to a cracked windshield. So it's a good idea to have an idea of
a place you can call, rather than being stranded. |
Tips
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Don't
tailgate. On long trips, especially, you can get tired and not
be as alert as you normally would, which means your reaction time
is slowed if something were to happen in front of you on the road.
So keep a safe distance behind vehicles. Also, try to stay behind
cars you can see around.
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Bring
along some music -CD's or cassettes. When driving for long distances
through cities and states, many radio stations will tune in or out.
It's always a good idea to bring some music along - especially something
on the louder, upbeat side to help keep you alert and awake during
long drives.
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Try to avoid large, heavy meals. These canl bring your blood
sugar down, and make you feel tired while driving. Try to eat smaller,
healthier meals more often (about every 3 hours) to help keep your
blood sugar in balance.
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These are just a few suggestions for a safe and successful road trip.If
you have any others you'd like to share, drop
us a line
and let us know.
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Copyright © 2010 DestinationSeek.com.
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