It’s that time of the year where many of us jump in the car and head off to spend the holidays with our loved ones. If you’re about to make a road trip for Thanksgiving, follow these tips on how to stay safe on the road during holiday travel.
Before you head out traveling this holiday season, it’s important to make sure you are adequately prepared to stay safe on the road. Our team at Scott’s Auto is here with our best tips on how to travel safely.
If it has been a while since your car was last inspected, or if you’ve had a warning light pop up on your dash, we recommend bringing your car in for a quick inspection — especially if you are about to be embarking on a road trip. We offer comprehensive safety inspections that will ensure you travel in a reliable vehicle that is safe for you and your passengers.
A standard inspection will include a check of the:
You never know when weather might hit or when you might get a flat and be stuck on the side of the road for a few hours. If this happens, you’ll want to be stocked with the right supplies. We recommend keeping some non-perishable snacks in your car along with bottled water, flashlights, spare phone chargers, and other items you think you should have based on where you’re traveling to. For example, if you know you’ll hit snow, packing extra blankets, sand, and a small shovel could help you stay warm and get unstuck from snow if you find yourself in that predicament.
In addition to your emergency kit, having other supplies ready to use like a working spare tire and an extra full gas can could help get you back on the road if you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere or suffer a flat. Not only is it scary to be stuck on the side of the road when these things happen, it can also be life-threatening.
If you are going to carry extra fuel in your vehicle, there are some safety concerns to keep in mind. Here are some things to consider when preparing to take extra fuel:
When it comes time to leave for your holiday travel, you as the driver are responsible for everyone in your vehicle. Make sure everyone is buckled and that they do what they can to keep you from becoming distracted as you drive.
If you have pets traveling with you, be sure you know how to keep them safe too. Whether it’s putting them in their own travel carrier, or getting them their own seatbelt, keeping them secure in the car can prevent them from interfering with you as you drive and keep them safe in the event of a crash. In fact, while no law specifically requires pets to be in seat belts, some states could charge you for distracted driving if the pet is in your lap. Do your research and find what the best way to travel with your pet is — it could save both of your lives!
Here at Scott’s Auto, we have three convenient locations to help you get road-trip ready for your holiday travel. Whether you want to make an appointment or stop on by, we’re here for you!
Fort Collins – (970)-682-4202
Loveland – (970)-541-4404
Montrose – (970)-615-5150
