Prepare your car -- and yourself -- before making a lengthy road trip

Determine how many miles you will be traveling and your vehicle’s gas mileage so you won’t have a fuel shortage.
Determine how many miles you will be traveling and your vehicle’s gas mileage so you won’t have a fuel shortage. | File photo

It’s road trip season, but you should also be aware of the road safety tips so you and your loved ones will ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride all the way. Here are some helpful road trip tips you should remember, brought to you by Graff Mt. Pleasant.

First, get enough sleep, especially if you are the driver. Eight hours is preferable. Better yet, have someone to switch with you behind the wheel so you can rest, or stop by a hotel if you are driving alone. According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, about 100,000 car accidents are due to driver fatigue every year, which results to more than 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in collision repairs. 

Next, determine how many miles will you be traveling and your vehicle’s gas mileage so you won’t have a fuel shortage in the middle of a long stretch between cities. Also, make sure that your car is in its optimal condition, or risk having costly repairs due to breakdowns. 

Chewing gum can also help get you going for a long drive. It is said that chewing gum helps increase circulation and improve alertness, which is crucial when you’re sitting behind the wheel for long periods of time. 

Lastly, have yourself entertained. Prepare a playlist of your favorite tracks so you can enjoy your road trip experience. Aside from being entertained, music also helps keep you alert while driving, stimulates the brain, and breaks the monotony of driving, thus making your drive more pleasant and less boring. 

If you want to ensure your vehicle’s optimum condition, have yours checked at Graff Mt. Pleasant before you hit the road.