First Road Trip? Essential Road Trip Safety Tips for Young Drivers and Parents (Summer Travel pt.1)

road trip safety tips

Oh, young adventurer, you’re getting antsy aren’t you? School has been out and summer has given way to a bit more freedom. You’ve got your gas money saved, that perfect road trip playlist you’ve been piecing together, queued up, and all those pins set on the map of where you want to go. 

That first road trip is a rite of passage for freedom seekers everywhere. Whether it’s a trip out of town for a concert or exploring America’s scenic byways with the crew, you’re finally spreading your wings, escaping your parents for a bit, and discovering more about yourself.

I’m sure you’ve shared links, stories and pictures of all the must-haves, must-visits, and must-sees on this dream trip. But have you talked about the essential road trip safety tips? Statistically, new drivers are more at risk. Less experience, that thrill-seeking urge, and distractions galore can turn your epic adventure into a major bummer.

Don’t sweat it! With a little planning and some smart moves (like these road trip safety tips), your first journey on four wheels can be legendary – in a good way. 

The Road Awaits!

That eagerness turning into a bit of the first road trip jitters? We get it. With a little prep, caution, and the right insurance, it can be epic!

Gear Up for Adventure (and Safety!)

Protect Your Ride (and Your Wallet)

Relax, Enjoy the Ride!

road trip safety tips drowsy drivingRoad Trip Safety Tips #1: The Tyranny of Tiredness

Battling fatigue is a universal struggle, especially for young adults. Behind the wheel, drowsiness is your arch-nemesis. There’s a reason signs advising against fatigued driving have become commonplace on our roadways. It’s also prevalent enough to wind up at the top of our list of road trip safety tips.

Because teens go through a second cognitive growth-spurt, they need an average of 9 to 9 ½ hours of sleep a night. That’s about an hour more than a 10 year old needs! 

Combine that with highway hypnosis (it’s a thing!), and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Young driver car insurance won’t stop that, but these road trip safety tips will help keep you safe!

Plan Your Pit Stops

Don’t be a mileage machine! Schedule breaks every two hours, even if you feel wide awake. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Stretch your legs, grab a coffee (or better yet, water!), and take in the view. Your eyes will thank you.

Share the Wheel

 If you’ve got friends in the car with you, make them earn their snacks by taking turns driving. Those scheduled breaks are a perfect time to swap out who is behind the wheel. It won’t just keep everyone alert, but also creates a sense of shared responsibility and shortens everyone’s time stuck in the driver seat. Plus, when you end up in that passenger seat, you finally get to take over the music and become the road trip DJ– at least for the time you spend in the copilot seat.

Know Your Limits

Having trouble keeping your eyes open? Don’t try to power through. Tag in your co-pilot to take over driving, or pull over at a well-lit rest stop and catch a power nap. Arriving a bit late is way better than not arriving at all.

road trip safety tips distracted drivingRoad Trip Safety Tips #2: The Siren Song of Distractions

It’s easy to have your attention grabbed by that tempting text, the latest viral video, the lively debate erupting in the backseat. Here’s the kicker: distracted driving is DEADLY. Keeping your eyes on the road is an essential part of road trip safety tips. 

More than 3,000 people died in 2022 from distracted driving accidents. When you think about it, 5 seconds of looking at your phone at highway speeds is the same as driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed!

Silence is Golden

Put your phone on silent and tuck it away somewhere safe while you’re driving. Taking away the temptation could save you from a fat ticket…or worse. You’ve been excitedly talking about this trip for ages, it’s not like your friends and family at home aren’t going to know you’re on the road (and, honestly, they’re gonna feel better knowing you aren’t texting and driving).

Besides, aren’t you on this road trip to see the scenery and weird roadside attractions? The world outside your windshield is far more interesting than that little screen that’s always with you anyway.

Be the Boss

It’s your car, it’s your responsibility. Make sure your friends are keeping their distractions to a minimum by setting clear ground rules: like, no blasting the music until the car is rattling, no horseplay, and conversations are mild. Hold that heated debate on which class is the most annoying until your pit stop.

Embrace the Analog World

It’s time to bust out the travel games from family vacations when you were little, and turn on a playlist of classic road trip tunes while you’re at it. It’s better to not have the slew of viral videos playing around you, tempting your eyes to lift from sticking to the road. 

Also, Google and Apple maps are great for your co-pilot to use, but you should be focused on your driving. Don’t forget to add a paper road map or atlas to your road trip essentials checklist in case you go out of service or the phone dies.

road trip safety tips speedingRoad Trip Safety Tips #3: The Allure of Speed

Speed limits are there for a reason, and not just because the police are out to spoil your fun. Speed limits protect you, the other people in the car, and everyone around you. Sure, you can probably make that corner doing 20 mph over the limit, but are you going to be able to stop in time when there’s a deer in the middle of the road around the bend?

Respect the Limits

We get it, the open road feels like an invitation to unleash your inner speed demon. Chill for a second though – it’s hard to see the sights (or the person crossing the street) when everything outside is just a blur that you’re flying past.

Speeding gives you less time to react and takes longer to stop, which is why speeding is involved in about 29% of all fatal accidents! It also uses up more gas, so you spend more time and money at the pump than having fun on your trip.

Cruise Control: Your Other Co-Pilot

Set your cruise control to the speed limit, relax, and enjoy the ride. It’s okay to let your car take over the accelerator. It’s one less thing to worry about, freeing you up to focus on the road and swap stories with your crew. Just make sure you’re actually paying attention to the road, otherwise it could reduce your reaction time!

Bonus Tip: Young Driver Car Insurance

Got a teen itching to hit the road? Make sure they’re properly covered with Teen Driver Car Insurance before they get behind the wheel. It’ll give you peace of mind and keep them protected on their adventures.

road trip safety tips teen driver car insuranceGet the Most Out of Insurance

Road trip ready? Don’t let car insurance be a buzzkill. Think of it like a superhero cape for your car – protects you from unexpected bumps (literally!).

Be Upfront :

 Let’s be real, young driver car insurance can be pricey. But hey, honesty is key! Tell your insurance company about your trip, where you’re headed, and how long you’ll be gone. This ensures you’re covered throughout your adventure and avoids any issues if you need to file a claim. They’ll find the perfect coverage for your budget, keeping your wallet and your ride happy.

Rental Cars : 

Planning on renting a set of wheels? Your teen driver car insurance might not cover it. Rental car companies sell their own coverage, but it can cost a fortune and still not cover much

Talk to a qualified agent about adding rental car coverage to your policy – it’s usually way cheaper. Trust me, a flat tire in the middle of nowhere is stressful enough, don’t add a hefty bill to the mix!

Roadside Assistance : 

Ever get a flat tire in the middle of nowhere? Not exactly the killer road trip vibe you were going for. Consider it one of your road trip essentials because roadside assistance is your knight in shining armor, offering towing, tire changes, and even jump starts to get you back on the road – fast. Check your policy – if it’s not included, adding it is a no-brainer.

Prep Your Car For The Road :

To avoid a situation where you have to call for roadside assistance, a few basic checks can help keep you on the road. Check your oil, tire pressure, battery, and the wiper blades and fluid! Following a solid pre-trip checklist can save you a lot of time and money down the road.

Road Trip Essentials : 

Pack a superhero side-kick for your car – an emergency kit! Flashlight, jumper cables, first-aid kit, blanket – these little lifesavers can turn a breakdown into a minor blip. Maybe throw an extra phone charger with an external battery in there, too, so you’re not stranded with a dead phone when you need to call for roadside assistance.

Alright, insurance secured, safety kit prepped – next stop, common road trip challenges young drivers face!

road trip safety tips understanding your insuranceUnderstanding Your Coverage

Reminder: an epic adventure needs a solid plan – especially when it comes to insurance. Let’s break down what you need to know about Young Drivers Insurance to keep your ride smooth sailing.

Liability : 

Liability’s the foundation – it covers stuff you wreck and people you injure if you’re at fault in an accident. Make sure you have enough coverage, especially if you’re venturing out of state

Collision and Comprehensive : 

These are like bonus levels of protection. Collision pays if you bump into another car or something (think rogue deer!), while Comprehensive tackles non-crash stuff like theft, hailstorms, or angry squirrels. Totally optional, but for a young driver on the open road, consider it a wise investment.

road trip safety tipsNow Hit The Road With Those Road Trip Safety Tips & Young Driver Car Insurance

Alright, that’s the road trip safety tips and young drivers car insurance rundown for your road trip! Now you’re equipped with the knowledge (and hopefully some discounts) to hit the road with confidence. With your road trip essentials all loaded up, it’s time to crank up the tunes, hit the gas, and focus on making memories!