How Should I Prepare for Easter Weekend Travel? Call

Traveling on road trips can be fun, especially during a holiday when you get to visit with friends and family. However, even short road trips can be dangerous.

Easter is one of the holidays that sees more cars on the road than normal. Because of this, you need to make sure you are ready for the potential hazards ahead.

Check Your Vehicle

Whenever you hit the road, you should always check your vehicle for a few key items:

Make sure your oil is full and clean.
Check your coolant level.
Check windshield washer fluid.
Check tire pressure and tread levels.
Make sure all lights and turn signals are working properly.
Check brake lights.

Especially when you are going on a longer road trip, checking these items can help you avoid a car accident or breakdown. If your coolant is too low or leaking, you risk having your engine overheat, which can cause not only serious time delay and damage to your car, but it can also put your life at risk.

Get a Full Inspection

If you do not want to check off the items listed above, you can have your mechanic do it for you. However, it is good to know how to do the above and how to refill your fluids in case you need to do that while traveling.

When you take your car to the mechanic, have them do a full inspection, not just check off what you could do at home. They are the experts, so let them dive deep into your vehicle and make sure they uncover any issues that need to be fixed. While this could take some time, it is better than having something break while you are on your trip, potentially leaving you stranded.

Your mechanic will also make sure your fluids are topped off and your vehicle is generally in good working condition. This gives you peace of mind that your trip will be safe and your car will get you to your destination and back home safely.

Plan an Alternate Route

While you hope that your most efficient route will get you where you need to go, with so many cars on the road during the Easter holiday, it is entirely possible that you will need to take an alternative route. Whether because you hit a traffic jam, get stuck behind an accident, or some other reason for a delay, knowing an alternate route in advance can help you navigate these stressful situations.

That is one of the best ways to stay safe on the road, especially in heavy traffic. Keeping your stress levels down not only makes you think more clearly, it will also let you arrive at your destination in a better mood.

When you are traveling outside the Virginia Beach area for Easter, you may be going far enough that you get into areas where you are not familiar with the roads or highways. Without advanced planning, this could lead to confusion and extra delays, beyond what you have experienced already.

Prepare Physically

Just like your car needs maintenance, so does your body. While you should strive to be healthy as much as possible, take special precautions before taking an Easter road trip.

Driving when you have not slept well can lead to your body feeling like you are drunk. That means your brain will process information slower than normal and you will react at a slower pace. In tragic situations, this could lead to a terrible accident. That is why it is crucial that you ensure you get enough sleep not just the night before you leave, but in the days leading up to your Easter road trip.

However, healthy activity does not stop once you hit the road. While driving, you need to stay hydrated. The longer your trip, the more water you should bring and drink while driving. Drinking water will help to keep you alert and feeling refreshed.

It will also help you to stop frequently. Stopping every two hours or so is a good way to let your body get some fresh air and stretch your legs. Even a few minutes out of the car and walking around can recharge your body and get you ready for the next leg of your journey.

Pack Emergency Items

When you pack your vehicle, you should make sure you have more than just your clothes. You should also pack:

Flashlights.
Extra batteries.
External chargers for your cellphone.
Blankets.
Tire pressure gauge.

It is also recommend that you take at least small bottles of oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. Having these on hand may seem like overkill but, if you need any of these liquids, you will be glad you have them, especially when stores and shops are likely to be closed because of the holiday.

When you are packing these safety items, that is also a good time to unpack unnecessary items in your car. Take these items out. In an emergency, you will be able to find what you need faster, and it will make your car lighter, helping you to save money on gas.

Avoid Distractions

Any time you get behind the wheel, you should focus on driving and not let yourself get distracted. Your phone may be the most distracting item in your car so, even if you need it for directions, keep it out of arm’s reach and turn off all notifications.

If you have people traveling with you, make sure they understand that your sole job is to get them to your destination safely. It is absolutely fine to have conversations, but know that if traffic gets heavy or slows down quickly, you should exit the conversation and stay focused on driving.

Make sure your passengers understand this and remain quiet with the radio volume down or off when things get stressful. This will help everyone stay calm and get to the Easter celebrations safely.

Stay Overnight

If you are driving just an hour or two from home, it can be tempting to go celebrate Easter and then head back home to sleep in your own bed. Resist that temptation and stay with your family for the night or get a hotel close by. Staying will not only give you more time with your family, but it will also let you stay rested and able to drive safely.

Especially if you have been drinking, do not drive anywhere. Easter celebrations often involve a couple alcoholic beverages, and it is great to enjoy them, but do not put yourself or others at risk by driving after you have been drinking.

Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You if You Have Been Injured on a Holiday Road Trip

Easter is one of the most heavily traveled holidays. It is important that you stay safe while taking your road trip, however, other motorists may drive recklessly. If you have been injured in a collision, call one of our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers today. Our legal team at East Coast Trial Lawyers will help you explore your legal options. Call us at 757-352-2237 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Virginia Beach, we serve clients throughout Chesapeake, Eastern Shore, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, Virginia, as well as North Carolina and nationwide.