Summer Driving Tips from Our Erie Car Accident Attorney

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Attorney Grant Travis | Travis Law Firm | Personal Injury Attorney, DUI Defense Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney | Serving Erie, Crawford, Warren & all of Northwestern PA | Call the Travis Law Firm at 814-277-2222 today!

For many families, summer is the time when everyone piles into the family car for a summer road trip. Before you leave home for your family vacation or a romantic weekend, it is important that you take time to ensure that your vehicle is ready for a road trip. Preparation and planning can prevent the headache of dealing with a roadside breakdown or worse yet a car crash.

Safety Tips for Summer Driving

  • Check for Recalls

Before leaving home, check the NHTSA website for recalls. You do not want a recall to place your family in danger.

  • Schedule Vehicle Maintenance

As part of the planning for your trip, you need to schedule a maintenance appointment for your vehicle. Tire rotations, tune-ups, checking fluids, battery checks, and other routine maintenance can help avoid roadside breakdowns and other problems. In addition, have your mechanic check crucial vehicle systems, including air condition, tires, cooling system, belts, hoses, wiper blades, and lights.

  • Pack an Emergency Kit

You need to be prepared for an emergency while on the road. Therefore, packing an emergency kit is an essential step when preparing for a summer road trip.  Some of the items you need to include in your kit are jumper cables, flashlight, road flares, tire pressure gauge, work gloves, jack, and basic tools. In addition, you should add water, nonperishable food, maps, towels, first aid kit, cell phone charger, and blankets.  For a complete list of supplies for an emergency car kit, you can check the Ready.gov website.

  • Personal Safety

Protect your passengers on road trips by making sure that everyone wears a seatbelt. Passengers should not engage in dangerous behaviors like hanging out of the window or crawling around in the vehicle while it is in motion. Also, make sure that your children are secured in a child safety seat that is designed for their height, weight, and age. Never leave children alone in a vehicle and always lock your vehicle when you exit so that children cannot climb back into the vehicle without an adult.

  • Sharing the Road

Share the road safely with others to avoid an accident. When you are driving, you need to keep your attention focused on the road ahead. Distracted driving is a dangerous and potentially fatal driving behavior. Another dangerous and potentially deadly choice for a driver is to drive after drinking.  Drunk driving is extremely dangerous and illegal. Also, while on a road trip, make sure that you get plenty of rest each night to avoid drowsy driving. On long road trips, it can be a good idea to share the driving duties with another adult. For additional safe driving tips, visit the PennDOT website.

Contact an Erie Car Accident Attorney

We hope that you have a safe and enjoyable summer on the road. However, if you are injured in a car accident in Pennsylvania, you need an attorney to review your case and help you file an accident claim.

Call The Travis Law Firm at (800) 401-2066 to request a free legal consultation with our Erie car accident attorney.  If you have been injured, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries, damages, and losses. You may be able to recover money for your lost wages, property damage, medical expenses, and other damages by filing an accident claim.