Road Trip Remedies

Planning on traveling to the annual family vacation spot by car this summer? Keep in mind that a healthy respect for the realities of highway travel will only increase the likelihood of arriving at your destination safely. For instance, at 55 miles per hour on a rural stretch of interstate highway, you have less than a 1 percent chance of involvement in a fatal crash. Increase your speed just 5 miles an hour, according to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) statistics, and your chances shoot up to 7 percent. Or that even though the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 34 is a highway accident, your chances of surviving increase by almost half if you're wearing a seat belt?

In most cases, the key to safe travel is planning ahead. Start by leaving your travel plans or itinerary with a friend or family member that could contact you in the event of an emergency.

The driver comes first
Don't stay up all night packing and then expect to just jump in the car the next morning and go – preparing your body for a long trip is just as important as preparing your car. Pack the day before you plan to travel, and head to bed early. If you start to get drowsy while on the road, pull over and take a quick nap. Also, be sure to keep the driver's area free of distractions that could take their attention away from the road.

Check the family car
Prepare the car by checking hoses, belts and especially tires. Keep an emergency kit on board that includes a flashlight, batteries, jumper cables and reflective devices. You also should have a first aid kit accessible in the car. The American Red Cross sells several varieties at www.redcross.org. A kit should include: an electronic thermometer, scissors, tweezers and antiseptic wipes, medicine cup and/or spoon, a box of adhesive bandages, roller bandages, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, adhesive tape, disposable gloves, aspirin or ibuprofen and a first aid instruction booklet.

Hit the road
Pay close attention to the road, no matter how many times you may have driven that same route. There may be changes due to construction, traffic or an accident. Don't take highway signs and road markings for granted. Be alert for exits from the left lane, and be cautious of vehicles exiting ahead of you. Avoid perpetuating road rage- if a car is tailgating and flashing their lights, move to another lane. Stubbornness will only incite more anger. The bottom line, says the U.S. Department of Transportation, "is fairness and cooperation among drivers sharing the road together."

Keeping the kids happy
If the words "Are we there yet?" make you cringe, you'll want to make sure the car is well stocked with activities to occupy the little passengers in the backseat. Bring along small toys, books, games and fun music. Mark your trip's starting point and destination on a map and point out landmarks along the way so the kids can follow your progress. Or, start a new activity after say, every 50 miles, to keep track of how far you've traveled and help break up the ride. Keep a supply of healthy snacks handy in order to avoid fast food at rest stops.