Memorial Day Road Trip

With COVID-19 restrictions easing in many parts of the country, countless Americans will be eager to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend and put some miles on their tires. While it will be tempting to hop in and go, before you start the ignition, be sure to think safety first.

Speed Zone Ahead

Over the last few months, the Coronavirus has significantly altered the day to day lives of people throughout the nation. There have been substantially fewer cars on the road due to Safer at Home orders. In Wisconsin alone, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported as  much as a 40 percent decrease in the number of vehicles on Wisconsin highways. Surprisingly, however, there has been an increase in speeding violations. Wide-open roads make it easy to give a little more gas and a little less breaking.

Speed limits are not suggestions. They are there for your safety. Speeding increases the chances of losing control of your vehicle and reduces the time you have to react to a hazard. Additionally, speeding increases the severity of an auto accident.

routine checks

Perhaps you don't have a leadfoot. There are still many safety checks to keep in mind after not being behind the wheel for a while.

If your car has been sitting idle for a while, it is good to do a quick routine check. Do a visual walk-around of your vehicle to look for damage. Now is also an excellent time to check your tire pressure. While you are making the rounds to each tire, check the sidewalls to see if there are any noticeable cracks or abnormalities. As you walk around to the back of your car, if you have a backup camera, take a quick moment to check to see if it is dirty and needs cleaning.

Buckle up for Safety

Once your car has passed your inspection, you are ready to get in. Before turning the key, it is always a good habit to buckle up first and check your mirrors. To avoid distracted driving, place your phone in an area that is out of sight, out of mind, and if you listen to the radio, keep it at a reasonable volume.

Be sure to drive alert and think safe, drive safe. Enjoy your drive!