HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-04-19, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012.
MS –A good road trip can be the
ultimate spring or summer
experience. With the open road
ahead, life’s troubles seem to melt
and there’s just the oneness of the
driver and the road.
For a road trip to be successful, it’s
not just a matter of taking to the road
and putting the pedal to the metal.
There are a host of considerations to
make, which can ensure safety and
peace of mind when beginning your
excursion. The hot sun that can bake
the roadway – and your body – can
also take its toll on your car,
contributing to breakdowns. And
there are other factors to be aware of.
Maintenance should never be
overlooked when it comes to
prepping for a road trip. At the least,
it’s recommended that drivers have
their tires, battery, belts, fluids and
air conditioner checked by a
qualified mechanic prior to starting
any long trip. But the list does not
stop there. There are many other
precautions to heed before taking to
the road.
• Be sure to have all necessary
documents on hand. Nothing can
stall a road trip faster than getting
pulled over by a police officer and
being without your licence,
registration and proof of insurance.
These are required documents to
operate a vehicle, and it’s definitely
worth a second check in your wallet
and glove compartment to be sure
they are where they should be.
• Get an oil change. Driving long
intervals can be taxing on a car
engine, as can the start-and-stops
associated with getting stuck in road
trip traffic. Do yourself and your car
a favour by getting an oil change to
ensure there will be proper
lubrication of the engine and that
thick, old motor oil won’t contribute
to a breakdown.
• Update your GPS. If you will be
using a GPS device as your primary
tool for navigation, update the
device’s maps before departure.
Roadways are always being
changed, and without downloading
the proper updates, you could end up
driving in circles instead of moving
on to your destination. In addition,
many GPS models come equipped
with pinpointing points of interest
(POI) such as restaurants, tourist
areas, hotels and rest stops, which
should be updated before beginning
the trip. Follow the guidelines
spelled out in the owner’s manual
that comes with your GPS unit.
Consumer Reports also advises
knowing the local ordinances
regarding GPS use.
• Plan who will drive when. A long
road trip – one that will be done
primarily in one day – could
necessitate splitting up the trip
between two or more drivers. Not
only does this banish boredom, it
also reduces the risk of driver
fatigue.
• Protect your eyes. The weather
and the position of the sun could
change depending on where you are
driving. If you wear glasses or
contacts for driving, be sure you
have them with you. Keep a few
pairs of sunglasses in your car to
shield your eyes from sun glare. If
the sun proves problematic, pull over
for a little while or try an alternate
route that prevents oncoming sun on
the windshield. While you are
packing sunglasses, also be sure to
bring along – and wear – sunscreen,
as the sun’s rays can be magnified
through the window glass.
• Bring along refreshments.
Frequent stops for bathroom breaks
and simply to stretch your legs are
adviseable, but limit rest-stop fare
whenever possible. Not only do
these foods tend to be unhealthy,
they are often expensive. Keep your
road trip budget down by packing
healthy food and drinks that you can
enjoy on the go.
• Keep on top of your car’s fuel
level. Play it safe when gassing up
the car. On rural roads or stretches of
country with which you are
unfamiliar, you never know how far
away filling stations might be from
one another. That means you should
take the opportunity to top off the
gas tank whenever you get the
chance. This way you always will be
confident you have enough gas to
get to the next station. Don’t risk
coasting into your destination on
fumes, unless you want to arrive at
your destination hitched to a tow
truck.
• Be wary of hitchhikers. Although
hitchhikers are few and far between
nowadays, there is still the
possibility of coming across
someone thumbing for a ride on the
side of the road. Do not pick up a
stranger who is hitchhiking, no
matter how reputable the person may
seem. If you come across someone
who has broken down, offer to call
for help instead of allowing the
person into the car.
• Use the bathroom at every stop.
You never know how few and far
between restrooms will be. Unless
the idea of a road-side pit stop is
high on your list of road trip
excitement, play it safe and use the
restroom whenever stopping. Few
things can make a stretch of road
seem more interminable than the
pressure of a full bladder.
• Plan for sightseeing. Part of the
enjoyment of a road trip is to
actually take the scenic route and
enjoy roads which you may have
never travelled before. This is not a
race and no awards will be given out
at the end for making good time.
Therefore, slow down and enjoy the
scenery. Isn’t that why you’re
driving, after all?
Road trips seem to be an essential
part of the spring and summer
season. They can be all the more fun
and safe when you heed a few road
trip rules of the road.
NC –As the snow banks melt and
the icy roads begin to thaw,
motorcyclists are getting revved up
for what they’ve been waiting for all
winter: the first ride of the season.
Before taking their bikes out of
storage, there are certain steps
motorcyclists should take before
hitting the open roads to stay safe
and avoid any unwanted mishaps
this season:
• Time for a tune-up:Your bike
has been in storage for a few months
now, so make sure to check the
lights, controls, battery, fluid levels
and especially tires. With
temperature changes, rubber and
metal expand at different rates, so be
sure to inspect your tires for cracks,
any foreign objects and ensure your
tires are properly inflated in
accordance with your owner’s
manual. If your bike needs
Spring road trip? Don’t leave without these tips
Motorcycle tips as
spring approaches
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