It is that time of year again for many of us in college: Spring Break. This will be a two-part article, with this one focusing on  Road Trips and the second one focusing on Air travel. While this isn’t completely covering every conceivable situation, it will offer some important tips to help keep you from running into any major difficulties while you travel. 

Before You Start

When I worked in the transit industry, the first thing we would do, before we would ever sit in the driver’s seat, was walk around our vehicle. I do mean physically walking around your vehicle, but with a purpose. Look at the physical condition of your tires, for example. Make sure there are no gouges, holes, flats, or damage, and check the treads with a penny (if you can find one). The penny trick is useful for knowing when the treads have worn too bald for the road (when the tread depth is above Lincoln’s head). The next part of this walk-around requires popping the hood and checking the oil. While this should be done regularly, topping off your oil can help keep your engine running properly and well-lubricated. As a helpful tip, if you are driving out of state or if it has been a while, get an oil change. This usually costs between $30- $70 depending on how much oil your engine needs. Another important thing to note is that in the State of Virginia, vehicles to be considered road worthy must pass a Vehicle Inspection and be up- to- date. One last note, make sure to keep the following for any emergencies. I have personally needed these at one point along the way: jumper cables, first aid kit, bottled water (for drinking and in case of an overheating engine), blanket, road triangles, and a flashlight. This will offer some help if you are stranded on the side of the road.

Building Road Trip Kit

As a kid growing up in the 90’s my mother had always had a trip bag that was just packed for the road. This bag contained all the things that you need but usually forget. While this looked different based on the trip, the following items can prove useful in any circumstance:

• Throw Blanket
• First aid kit or Bandages 
• Midol 
• Pads and Tampons 
• Toilet Paper
• Water Canteen
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Small screwdriver set
• Towel
• Power Bar/ Granola Bar
• Duct Tape and Electrical tape

On the Road

Prior to getting on the road, one of the first things you should be doing is plan out the route you’re taking. If you are heading to visit family and know the way well, this could just be making a mental note of where the nearest gas stations are, or even just knowing where to take a break. If you are going to places that you haven’t ever traveled before, I recommend looking over the route and giving yourself time to your destination. This includes giving yourself time between you and the car in front of you. To do this, find a static marker ahead of the car in front of you and count four seconds as they pass it. You should pass this marker after those four seconds. This gives you enough space to stop in case of an emergency. The more time there is between the vehicle in front of you, the more space there will be to brake in case of an emergency.

Should you run into some bad weather while on the road, remember to drive to the conditions. This means slowing down and remaining vigilant while driving. This also means avoiding distractions, such as using your cell phone, eating, drinking, and other things that take your attention off the road.

Stay Alert, Stay Alive

The most important tip for road traveling is this: keeping yourself alert on the road will keep you alive. The Department of Transportation recommends one hour of sleep for one hour of driving and limits driving to eight hours or less per day. In addition to this I would add that if you feel fatigued or unsafe at all while driving to pull over and rest until you feel safe again. Rest stops are ideal locations for this, however, a truck stop at an exit may also provide the same space. Another thing to consider is tuning your car radio to a station to monitor road conditions and weather events. In Virginia, you can tune your radio to 1640 AM for any emergency messages from the state. Usually, you will see the blue signs on the side of the highway with blinking lights when there are urgent messages. Other states may also have the same system on a different radio frequency. 

Most Important Message

I saved the most important message for last, and it may go without saying, however, it does need to be said. Don’t drink and drive. If you have partied the night before and you have had a few, give yourself time to get sober, or consider making the trip the next day. It isn’t worth the risk or the inevitable DUI. Along with drunk driving, don’t text and drive either. Distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Just don’t do it. Make sure you get to your destination in one piece and are able to come back home again. Arrive alive, don’t drink and drive. Stay safe on Spring Break and come back in one piece.

Reviewed and Edited by Kien Powell