Road trips come with more than their fair share of hazards, say Black & DePaoli, car accident lawyers in Sacramento. In addition to the potential for a car accident, a present day jaunt down the road also comes with added concerns thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The looming threat of getting sick makes everything a bit more tense, but that doesn’t mean that hitting the road is impossible. Keep these tips in mind, and that will help you in avoiding a crash.
Plan Ahead
The days before the pandemic offered considerable leeway when it came to spontaneity. In the current climate, however, planning your road trip is much more important. In addition to knowing where you’re going, where you’re staying, and how long the trip will take, you’ll want to keep abreast of any Coronavirus-related restrictions in your travel destination.
Pack Accordingly
In pre-pandemic days, you may have thought only to pack your clothes and a few accessories, but now your road trip will require a bit more. Hand sanitizer, for instance, has now become an essential item. While you’re traveling down the road, you’ll inevitably be touching things that others have: gas pumps, money, doorknobs, etc. In order to keep your hands clean as possible, hand sanitizer should stay in your arsenal.
In addition to your sanitizer, you’ll want to bring along a few other items that will help you protect yourself from potential infection, such as disinfecting wipes, disposable gloves, sealed disposable plastic bags, and of course, your face mask.
Minimize Risk When Stopping
No matter the road trip, there’s going to be a point where you need to stop to eat, fuel your vehicle, or sleep. When that takes place, you should do your best to protect yourself:
- No matter where it is you’re stopping, make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching any foreign surfaces.
- If you’re pumping gas, it might also be a good idea to wear your disposable gloves instead of wiping down the nozzle.
- Pay for gas using a card instead of cash. You’ll be avoiding face-to-face contact and won’t have to handle change.
Stay alert, and remember to avoid any unnecessary contact with other people or foreign surfaces when possible.
Stay Safe On The Road
Finally, keep your wits about you on the road. There are dangers beyond the pandemic — distracted drivers, reckless drivers, and, as Boulder felony DUI lawyer Moorhead Law Group points out, drunk drivers too. Be careful when you decide to travel, especially when your road trip is taking you a long distance and the likelihood of running across another irresponsible driver is greatly increased.
