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What Not to Do On a Road Trip Across the Country

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Traveling across the country by road is a life-changing, eye-opening experience for most people. Driving from coast to coast, you can see everything from the architectural wonders of the big cities, with skyscrapers that reach far beyond the eye’s gaze, to the beauty of nature in the mountain peaks that dominate parts of the country. As you travel these roads, here are a few things to make sure you avoid doing:

Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard

While it’s a good idea to make a plan or schedule, there needs to be some flexibility in your plans to stop early if needed. If you push yourself to drive too far on a day with bad weather conditions or when you are just plain exhausted, you increase your risk of getting in an accident. On days when you are running behind, give yourself permission to do so instead of speeding to try and make up time. Going over the speed limit is a major contributor to a lot of crashes. Back in 2019, 17% of the drivers who ended up in fatal crashes were speeding at the time it happened.

Don’t Drive Distracted

If you’re traveling with kids it’s easy to get distracted, especially once they need your help opening a snack or finding something to do. However, getting distracted while you drive can result in tragedy. Prepare your kids for the road trip by putting everything they need where they can easily reach it, and leave your cell phone somewhere where you won’t be tempted to touch it. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that a driver using a cellphone was a factor in over 40% of all car accidents that injure or kill someone.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Out

Parking your car in a safe spot and using public transportation might make more sense than driving around a densely populated urban area like New York City. Parking can be hard to find and costly, and it’s difficult to take in the sights as you’re fighting traffic and looking for a spot. Some cities are designed to be more walkable, and it may take much less time to walk or take a subway than driving to the same destination. By parking your car somewhere safe outside the heavy traffic zone, you can actually make your time in the city more enjoyable.

Don’t Carry Too Much Stuff

Unfortunately, a vehicle packed high with luggage makes a tempting target for thieves. Try to keep baggage in the trunk where it will not attract the wrong kind of attention. Similarly, instead of carrying cash that can easily be taken from the vehicle, use credit cards while on the road, as many of them include fraud protection to stop thieves from stealing your card number and money. Statistics show that credit and debit cards are used for 60% of transactions from $10 to $100, showing how popular this method of payment is across the country.

Don’t Forget To Take Family Photos

Selfies and photos of the scenery are great, but they don’t capture the best parts of the memory. Be sure to take some photos that capture the time you spend together and include the whole family. You can get out of the car at roadside monuments for a quick snap, or snap a quick shot before you get on the road in the morning, preserving the memories of each of the days you’ve spent together.

As you journey across the country, you’re sure to find plenty of new, creative ways to enjoy the scenery and the time with your loved ones.

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