Everyone, at some point in their life, has dreamed of going hopping in a car and taking a road trip with their best buds. You see it all the time in movies and television… a group of friends sharing laughs, taking in the beautiful scenery, and staring in awe at the breathtaking landmarks that they got to experience together. Seeing that just makes you want to do the same with your friends!
Well, the good news is that you can have all of those moments and experiences with your friends too! Now, just know, your road trip might not be like what you see on television and in the movies… your road trip might be a little too realistic. It will undoubtedly be fun, but when it comes to road trips, there’s ALWAYS some bumps in the road along the way, especially if you’re traveling long distances.
Now, these “bumps in the road” are sometimes very preventable with proper planning but some of these bumps can be unavoidable depending on the circumstances. We’re going to take a look at some of the most common road trip blunders that can make or break your road trip.
You Have Car Problems
Picture this, you and your friends have been on the road for a few hours, laughing and singing your hearts out, then all of a sudden your car starts shaking or you get a flat tire. It’s moments like this that take a devastating toll on your trip but it certainly won’t ruin your trip. You just need to make sure you’re equipped with the right tools.
Solution: Bring the Proper Tools and Look for Auto Shops Nearby
Before you leave your home, you want to make sure that you have all the necessary tools in case any type of car emergency pops up. Things like jumper cables, a spare tire, lug wrench, and jack are all important to how your road trip will go. This solution applies for any car, whether you’re driving a 1992 Subaru or a 2018 Jeep Wrangler… you need to be prepared for any car problem.
You Get Pulled Over and Get a Ticket
Tickets are such an unnecessary road trip blunder, especially speeding tickets. Yes, you and everyone are excited to be on the open road but the tricky part about the open road is that it’s a mecca for police officers. Whether it’s a warning or an outright speeding ticket, it won’t ruin the trip but it will certainly turn down the excitement everyone had at first.
Solution: Pay Attention to Road Signs and Speed Limit Signs
Maybe you were speeding… maybe you made an illegal U-Turn… regardless of what you did, it’s very important to pay attention to the rules of the road, especially when you’re in a different city or state.
Speed limit signs are constantly changing and it’s important that you abide by them. The National Conference of State Legislatures state that speeding is a major factor in vehicle fatalities so, slow down and pay attention to the road and the signs… this is how tickets are totally preventable.
You Get Into a Car Accident
With car accidents, sometimes they’re preventable on your end but you have no control of other drivers. A lot of accidents occur due to distracted driving and it gets lots of drivers in trouble and causes the victims pain and injury. Hopefully, you won’t encounter this on your trip.
Solution: Travel Prepared
When going on any type of road trip you want to be equipped with car insurance as well as access to a personal injury lawyer that will fight for you, especially when the accident is not your fault, you need to be compensated for what you’ve been through. Let your insurance handle everything on the road and let your personal injury lawyer handle your needs in the courtroom.
Someone Gets Sick on the Road
Getting car sick is a real thing and it is not fun! You start to get hot and feel dizzy, your stomach feels weird, and once the saliva builds up in your mouth… it’s a done deal… you’re going to vomit. Car sickness can not only put a damper on the person experiencing it but it can also bring everyone else’s mood down too.
Solution: Take Breaks During the Trip and Keep Medicine Handy
To keep car sickness at bay, incorporate breaks during the trip so that everyone can get some fresh air. You also want to have over-the-counter meds handy like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Dramamine (for motion sickness).