7 prevention measures for a hassle-free roadtrip

1. Get your vehicle ready

This is the first thing you should do before leaving. Check the oil and coolant levels. Also check lights, wipers, the battery and tire pressure.

If you’ve had your vehicle for a few years (or quite a few years!), have your car fully serviced to avoid unpleasant surprises on the road.

2. Expect the unexpected

Usually things go well. But it’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car. It should contain water, non-perishable food, a blanket and first aid supplies.

You should have a spare tire ready to go, just in case.

Make sure you have local emergency numbers and the contact information for roadside assistance. This way, you’ll be able to deal with problems rapidly.

3. Plan your route

A successful trip begins with a roadworthy plan. Before leaving, make a plan that includes breaks to relax and fill up.

Also:

• Tell friends or family what your route is and the estimated schedule. If you get into any trouble on the road, they'll know where to find you.
• Plan where you’ll be stopping for the night so that you don’t end up having to camp illegally. You’ll be safer in regulated camping areas.
• Ensure that your GPS is up to date, but don’t rely on it blindly. Take road maps in case of connection problems. There’s nothing better than an old-fashioned map when the signal is weak.

4. Check your insurance and travel documents

• Does your your car insurance provide adequate coverage? Ideally, you should have $2 million in liability insurance if you’re driving outside the country. If you’re driving an RV or towing a trailer, take a look at your coverage and take out more, if necessary.
• Pull together all the documents you need for departure: licence, passport, insurance certificates, etc.

5. Do like the locals do

If you’re exploring new territory, you’ll need to know the speed limits where you’ll be travelling. Some US states have higher maximum speeds than in Canada. Find out speed limit information before you leave to avoid surprises and fines.

And depending on where you go, you might need to take time zones into account!

Time travelling

The Trans-Canada highway is one of the longest highways in the world and goes through several time zones. As you put the kilometres behind you, don’t forget to adjust the time!

6. Take care of your safety and your property

A few basics suffice.

• Wear your seatbelt even if it isn’t legally required where you drive. Encourage your passengers to do so as well.
• Take regular breaks to overcome fatigue and stretch your legs.
• Stay hydrated, but don’t drink alcohol.
• Anticipate what other drivers will do.
• When you stop, even for a few minutes, be sure to lock up. Check that doors and windows are all closed.
• Hide anything that might tempt thieves such as valuable items that are visible in the vehicle (watches, shopping bags, etc).

7. Stock up on fuel, snacks and music

• Keep an eye on the gas level and plan on filling up before the tank gets too low. In rural areas, service stations can be few and far between!
• Bring nutritional snacks to avoid having to buy food in service centres.
• One of the pleasures of roadtrips is listening to music, don’t you think? However, being a DJ while driving is not ideal. Instead, why don’t you make a playlist of your favourites ahead of time (and those of your copilots’ if you’ve got company).

If you take these measures, you can travel safely. Take advantage of every minute and make memories!