When you’re driving with a group in your car, it’s your responsibility to keep everyone is safe. Here are the top driving safety tips for group travel.
If you are aware of the top driving safety tips for group travel, you will not only drive safer, but they’ll remind you of your responsibilities as the driver. These are by no means the only tips, but they sum up the main concerns.
Keep your focus on driving
This seems obvious, but we have to mention it. Since you’re going to be with a group, make someone else the navigator, so you don’t have to worry about the GPS. In addition, there’s absolutely no excuse for texting and driving—it can wait. If you find yourself losing focus or spacing out, this is one of the signs that you need to pull over and take a break.
Plan accordingly
Depending on where you’re driving, you might face a few different issues. For example, maybe you’re driving through Los Angeles. Well, chances are you’re going to hit traffic. So, leave yourself extra time to get to your destination. Another example is driving with inclement weather. If it’s snowing, you not only need to leave extra time, but you also need to drive slower and leave extra space between cars.
Use common sense
All sayings apply here—“don’t drink and drive” and “don’t text and drive.” The fact is, you’re in charge of the safety of every individual in the car. This means you’ll need to use your common sense while on the road. Unfortunately, there’s a chance that someone may get behind the wheel after drinking. If you encounter a driver that appears impaired in some way, you should do the following:
- Stay behind them, that way you’re at least in control of your own vehicle. If they’re behind you, try to get them in front of you or pull over until they pass. Once they pass, you can get back on the road and possibly catch up to them. If you can catch up, perform step two.
- Have someone else in the car call 911 to report the driver. Get a description of the car, the license plate number, and the name of the road you’re on. This way, they can’t hurt themselves or anyone else.
These tips should help your trip go much smoother and, of course, safer. While this article focuses on the big picture, it’s important to not forget the small things. For example, always have at least half of your tank full. You should also make sure that your tires have the proper amount of air in them before taking a long trip.
