What You Need to Know About Road Trips

Road trips promise a flourishing expanse of land, fresh non-polluted air, and the thrill of freedom to unwind from the fast paced lifestyle most of us lead. Planning for such adventures involves paying attention to the minute details while embracing the sheer pleasure of the inviting open road. Health and maintenance of the driver and the vehicle are crucial for a smooth journey. The person driving the car cannot afford to be ill or impaired in any way that would jeopardize the members of the family while driving. At the same time, the car has to be in top- condition and in good mechanical shape.

Ensure that regular maintenance of the car is up to date. This should include a safe-air or pollution check as a first priority. Tread depth, air pressure, and properly inflated tires (to avoid blow-outs), a spare tire, and a fully charged car battery are essential.

The oil level, a bottle of coolant and an anti freeze tester for extreme variations in temperature, depending on the location, are crucial. This especially relates to travel during the sizzling summer when it is hot enough to fry omelette with sunshine; or in winter months where a snowman could spring up every 100 yards. Accessories that should accompany a car at all times are a jack, basic tool kit, and a flashlight with spare batteries.

There are times when the physical conditions of the road might suddenly change, accidents might occur or weather variations such as sudden storms, tornadoes, earthquakes or other calamities might damage the car and its occupants. An emergency first aid box or medical kit is therefore a must for safety purposes. Along with the medical kit, extra tissue or toilet paper rolls, disposable plastic or paper bags, and medicines to combat allergy, motion sickness, diarrhoea, pain relievers and other symptom specific tablets, or ointments should be packed. Carefully label everything with instructions as an added precaution. An extra set of clothes, especially a warm wrap or blanket, is a must for any change in weather or the possibility of an accident.

Adequate bottles of water and non greasy basic snack food items such as sandwiches, cookies, Pretzels, Mars and other energy bars avoid messiness in the car, and also serve as contingency measures in the event that the car breaks down. Repairs might take more than a couple of hours. Bad weather or mistakenly taking a wrong route can also jeopardize the family getting stranded in isolated surroundings, especially during nightfall.

Wrong routes are a sign of bad planning or an inaccurate sense of direction. (Do not go by 'Women can't read maps and Men refuse to ask for directions.) Being lost is no body's cup of Darjeeling tea! Detailed road maps with signs indicating gas stations and food and lodging are a must for road trips. The Internet has become the biggest source of information for the global trekker. A quick search on Google will yield current road conditions as well as provide alternatives for unexpected diversions or hazardous construction on the way. Hotel or motel bookings in advance avoid the potential harassing situation of arriving at night with no place to stay, especially in bad weather conditions and a wailing baby in the back seat.

Music, especially fast numbers keep the spirits elevated and break the monotony of driving long stretches with unvarying landscape. It also helps in combating drowsiness. Most road accidents peak between 12 pm and 6 am with the majority of the casualties being attributed to falling asleep at the wheel. Take turns driving the vehicle, if possible, to allow for breaks and reduce tiredness. As well, pulling off the road to take a rest or sleep for a couple of hours is a safer way to avoid mishaps. Precaution must be exercised if driving alone in the car not to stop and sleep on lonely stretches of the road at night, especially those which are off the highway. You do not want to become an unknowing victim to a robbery or some other crime.

Technology such as GPRS and GPS for the tech savvy has proved to be a boon, especially in cases where the roads might prove fortuitous and chances of getting lost are high. Google maps, GPS installed on the PDA, mobile phones have proven to be very handy. But the reliable road map with directions should always be provided for as an alternative as sometimes electronic navigation system fail.

An overnight bag packed with the bare essentials like night clothes and toiletries ensures that the main suitcases or bags remain untouched until the destination, or if emergency situations force the person and family to board at a rest house overnight, or in the car for that matter.

Road trips are not complete without the occasional hiccups, but never leave home without the car registration, insurance papers and the ubiquitous driver's license (which should not be expired). Switch on the ignition, give a broad smile and give in to the song in your heart and the wanderlust in your soul. Fortissimo!