10 Tips - Family Road Safety

We love roadtrips!  They are so much fun and you can stop and goof around along the way.  There is no time restraint and not many rules!

My father-in-law used to tell my mother-in-law to pack a small bag (this usually included her camera, a toothbrush and undies) and they would drive down the Oregon Coast.  These stories make me so jealous! 

My husband isn't nearly as spontaneous, and, even if he was, South Texas isn't quite as nice (weather or landscape) as Oregon!

1. Plan AHEAD!
  -- Really, this is all-encompassing for me.  Pack blankets, water, snacks, jumper cables, make sure you have an inflated spare tire, etc., etc.
2. Know your limits.
  -- If you are driving long distances, make sure you plan to stop and sleep along the way.
3. Stay awake.
  -- I am HORRIBLE with this one.  I don't love driving, so when we travel, my husband drives and I tend to sleep.  I have been trying to get better with this by drinking water, listening to upbeat music and munching on snacks!  We usually travel late at night or early in the morning so that the kiddos don't miss out on anything and I want him to stay awake to focus on the road.  If I am awake, I KNOW he isn't dozing off.
4. Put your phone on silent.
  -- It's so easy to get distracted by the phone.  If I am driving, I don't usually put my phone on silent, but I put my purse on the floor in front of the passenger seat.  So, I wouldn't be able to reach it even if I wanted to!  If my husband is driving, I take his phone and play Angry Birds, so I don't worry about it as a distraction for him. This goes without saying - but NEVER, NEVER text while you are driving.  If you need to send a text, pull over or have your co-pilot do it for you!
5. Keep a map in the car.
  -- I have a GPS, my husband's phone has a GPS in it, but we ALWAYS have a Texas map in our car so that if we needed it, we would have it.  (Have you heard about the people that get lost for days and days because their GPS units sent them down the wrong road?!)
6. Wear your seat belts.
  -- Do I really need to explain this?  Wear your seat belts - set a good example for your kids.  My biggest pet peeve is seeing kids that are goofing around, obviously unbuckled, in the car.
7. Watch your speed.
  -- For at least two reasons: 1. So you don't get pulled over, 2. if you are going to fast, it's dangerous!
8. Keep your eye on the gas.
  -- You don't want to run out of gas and then have to hike 5 or more miles to find a gas station.  (Especially when you live in Texas and it's already 100+ degrees outside!)
9. Safelite AutoGlass brings you peace of mind by emailing you a Technician Profile before your appointment, showing you a photograph and credentials of the technician coming to your home or place of business.
  -- I haven't had the pleasure of working with Safelite, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that they email you a PHOTO and credentials of the technician!  It makes me feel so safe and tells me that this company really does care.
10. A chip could turn into a crack at any time, often when you are least expecting it. Windshield repair is often a safe and economical alternative to a full windshield replacement.
  -- Our weather is insane.  It's mostly hot and humid with about 2 weeks of winter every year.  I once had a car (before I was married) that had a tiny windshield chip, and it started to spread in the middle of the summer.  My Dad had that fixed for me. 

More about Safelite AutoGlass:
Safelite AutoGlass® was founded in 1947. Throughout our more than 60 years of service, our company has grown from a single store in Wichita, Kansas, to a national auto glass provider, serving nearly 4 million customers per year.

Through industry-leading 24-hour instant scheduling, convenient in-shop or mobile service, top-of-the-line materials and SafeTech™ certified technicians, you'll find that Safelite AutoGlass offers superior customer service, value and quality.

More info: http://www.safelite.com

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What about you - do you love roadtrips?  How do you keep you and your family safe when you are on the road?
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Safelite blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.