A winter road trip during the holidays can be quite amazing. With one-third of the US adults planning a road trip in 2024, it’s clear that hitting the open road is a popular choice. But let’s face it, winter’s unpredictable weather and icy roads can throw some challenges your way. Road hazards can spoil the vibe and add unwanted stress in the holidays.
Technology comes to the rescue, making it easier and smoother to prepare for the winter holiday trip.
We list the things you need to take care of to ensure a smooth and safe journey for you and your family.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Your car is the most important companion in a road trip. Before the trip starts, ensure your it is up for the challenge. Here are some tech tools that can make the preparation faster and more efficient:
- Smart Tire Monitors: Use tire pressure monitors to ensure your tires are winter-ready. These devices can alert you to pressure changes in real-time, reducing the blowout risk.
- Battery Monitoring Apps: Cold weather can drain the battery. Use the in-car battery monitoring to keep track of your battery status and overall engine health.
- Navigation Tools: Apps like Google Maps or Waze provide real-time traffic and weather updates.
- Emergency Tools: Keep a portable jump starter with USB charging ports for emergencies. Also, keep a phone charger and power bank so that your phone can also be used as a flashlight.
Route Planning
Winter travel requires comprehensive route planning. Check weather apps, monitor road conditions, and look for potential detours. Navigational tools mentioned above, like Google Maps or Apple Maps, also help in route planning.
With proper route planning, you can save time, fuel, and stress. Additionally, you can reduce the risk of mishaps by avoiding rush traffic areas.
Smart Packing
Minimalism is key, and it is good to avoid any clutter so that the vehicle has easy access to essential items.
Carry a portable charger and backup batteries to ensure that your devices stay functional. If the car breaks down, these batteries will be important to stay connected.
If going on a long trip to areas with weak cellular coverage, keep a satellite phone or personal GPS tracker if possible.
Driving Safe
Driving during the winter season is risky. Statistics show that each year, 24 percent of weather-related car crashes occur on snowy or icy roads, killing over 1300 people in the U.S. Just in 2022, over 14,000 people were injured in car accidents in St. Louis, Missouri.
To avoid this, you would want to adjust your speed, driving slower than usual. The priority should be maintaining control of the wet or icy road below.
Use Advanced Driver Assistance Systems(ADAS) with lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control to navigate icy roads. Devices like speed and distance sensors also help monitor vehicle speed and adjust the distance to avoid sudden braking.
TorHoerman Law notes that it is a good idea to know your legal options and have a trusted professional to guide you through the legalities. For instance, if you are traveling near St. Louis, you may be at high risk as the roads here become dangerous due to the icy mix.
If a negligent driver crashes into your car, you can seek legal recourse. You can search for a “car accident lawyer in St. Louis” to file a lawsuit and seek justice.
Monitor Your Health
Wearables like Fitbit or Apple Watch can track your vital signals while driving, alerting you to stress, increased heart rate, or fatigue.
Since your road trip coincides with the flu season, it means there is a need to take extra precautions. You need to pack face masks, UV sanitizers, and smart thermometers.
Apart from the flu, stress and fatigue are not to be taken lightly. Drowsiness is also a big culprit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 25 adults it to having fallen asleep in front of the wheel. To prevent this, get enough rest before the start of the trip and take scheduled breaks during the journey.
Use a driving timer app like Drive Awake to ensure you are safe behind the wheel. Also, ensure that any over-the-counter or prescription medicines are handy and accessible.
What To Do in an Emergency
Emergencies can happen, no matter how prepared we are. Here is how technology can help in case of any collision:
- SOS Apps and your phone: Your phone has an emergency button in case you need it. Many apps also send alerts with your location to designated s.
- Dashboard cameras, or Dash cams with cloud storage, ensure that there is visual evidence in case of an accident.
- Put up your car’s emergency lights on so that others are alerted and do not cause further collisions.
for Delays Due To Extreme Weather
Winter storms can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Consider building some extra time in your schedule and consider flexible accommodations for overnight stays.
Use the Honk app to provide on-demand towing or repair. Apps like Airbnb let you find nearby accommodations in case you are stranded in the cold, and there is no hotel in sight.
A Memorable Road Trip
Winter road trips are for joy and adventure, but preparation and smart use of technology are critical to ensure a safe and stress-free drive. Unforeseen events need to be dealt with by the right tools and planning.
Here’s to a smooth and joyful journey this holiday season!
