Email

By Harriette Halepis

Long summer days, endless nights, starry skies, and the open road – there’s nothing quite like road-tripping the day away. No matter where you end up on your road trip, you’re sure to cherish these memories forever. But, before you pack that overnight bag, take a quick look at some of these basic safety guidelines. Just in case anything unusual happens, you will be ready for whatever comes your way.

While most road trips end up full of harmless fun, some of them can quickly turn into nightmares. The number one thing to think about before you leave home is whether or not someone knows where you are going. Aside from yourself (and your travel companions), someone that will remain in your hometown should know your general route.

Of course, road trips are all about taking the “road less traveled,” though you’ll want to plan a general direction (including stopping points and an end point) before you leave home. In addition to telling someone all about your plans, you might also want to bring a GPS car tracking device with you. This way, nobody will have any trouble finding you if you do wind up lost or injured.

The other thing to remember is not to pick up any hitchhikers along the way. While it might seem tempting to give someone a helping hand by offering a lift, this can lead to trouble. Even if you don’t wind up a character in some horrific horror film plot, some hitchhikers might be on the run from the law, or they could just end up being a nuisance. In short, skip the hitchhiker – no matter how helpless they might look.

Lastly, take the time to prepare for your trip before you leave home. Pack a first aid kit, some extra clothes, all-weather gear, food, and always bring some cash with you. In addition to money, try and bring along a credit or debit card – just in case you can’t find a money machine. All of these things are pretty basic, but these small details can really be useful at the strangest of times.

Now that you know some basic road trip rules, you’re ready to hit that open road. Explore, wander, enjoy, and make sure that you revel in every second of your road tripping days. Oh yeah, one last thing – don’t forget to bring a camera with you! You’ll be surprised at the things that your friends will do when they think that nobody they know is watching!