
United States Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao is, as one might expect, concerned about the safety of everybody traveling the nation’s vast highway system. Here, she offers some tips and advice to those who are gearing up for automobile travel.
With the arrival of spring and summer, millions of Americans are looking forward to well-earned vacations. If you and your family plan to travel by road, I hope you will consider these driving safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA; nhtsa.gov).
Perform a basic safety check.
Routine maintenance (oil changes, battery testing, tire rotations, etc.) is important and can help prevent breakdowns on the road.
But if you’re traveling long distances, take it one step further by checking your vehicle’s tire pressure, wiper blades, fluid levels, lights and air conditioning.
Check for recalls.
Even the most well-informed vehicle owners may not be aware that their car is on a recall list and in need of some repair.
NHTSA’s free, easy-to-use vehicle identification number look-up tool (nhtsa.gov/recalls) lets you check and see if your vehicle has any open recalls. If you have an open recall, call your dealer and make an appointment for a free x as soon as possible. This could save a life.
Protect your passengers.
Everyone in the car—driver and passengers—should wear a seat belt.
If you’re traveling with children, it’s safest for them to ride in a car seat designed for their size and age. All children 13 years and younger should ride in the back seat. If you’re having trouble finding the right car seat for your child’s age and size, visit safercar.gov/parents for helpful tips.
Stay focused on driving.
Distracted driving has become a leading cause of accidents on the road each year. NHTSA estimates that more than 3,000 deaths and approximately 400,000 injuries occur annually due to distracted driving. If you need to use your smartphone, pull over at a rest area. Get directions to your destination before you start.
Share the road and stay alert.
Warmer weather attracts different types of roadway users, including motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Without the protection of a car or truck, other users are more vulnerable. So put a safe distance—three or four seconds’ worth—between you and motorcyclists, and always be mindful of pedestrians and bicyclists.
During long trips, it’s important to take a break. Plan ahead and build in times to stop, stretch, enjoy a meal and relax into your traveling schedule. Consider stopping and staying in a motel or hotel to recharge during longer drives.
Store an emergency roadside kit in your car.
Even well-maintained vehicles can break down, so it’s a good idea to have a few emergency items readily accessible for your family’s road trip. Consider adding a cellphone and charger, first-aid kit, flashlight, flares, jumper cables, water and blankets to your emergency kit.
Even if you don’t have to use your kit, you’ll have peace of mind knowing these critical items are on board with you. Prevention takes a little time upfront, but it pays off in terms of peace of mind and a more pleasant travel experience for you and your family.
For more information on safe driving tips for summer, visit one.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/tips/summer.

–Source:Elaine Chao, United States Secretary of Transportation for The Costco Connection, April 2017.