Home > News Room > Tips for traveling safely this summer

Tips for traveling safely this summer

Chapel Hill (July 1, 2008) — With the warmer weather and longer daylight hours, summertime means more people on the move in more ways. Folks are out and about from morning till night: bicycling, walking, jogging, motorcycling, even in-line skating and skateboarding, as well as driving. We all need to be alert and be on the look out for others, no matter how they - or we - are traveling. Here is some advice on how to be safe this summer no matter how you are traveling.

Before You Go

• Check your car or have it serviced before any long trip (battery, tires, belts and fluids).
• Have a qualified technician check the air conditioner.
• Check your oil. If you will be towing a trailer or boat, or driving in the desert, switch to a motor oil with higher viscosity.
• Pack an emergency kit that includes water, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight, equipment to change a tire, and a first aid kit.
• Fill up your gas tank at night or early in the morning to minimize damage to the ozone layer.
• Make sure your child safety seats and booster seats are properly installed.

On the Road

• Require all occupants to buckle up, with children in the back seat.
• Obey speed limits and all roadway signs.
• Drive calmly and avoid entanglements with aggressive drivers.
• Pack non-perishable snacks and plenty of juice and water (individual water bottles for each family member helps you monitor intake to avoid dehydration).
• Take frequent breaks - at least every two hours - and avoid driving when tired.
• Be especially careful around railroad crossings.
• Avoid driving in the "No Zone" around trucks. If you cannot see the truck driver in the truck's mirror, the truck driver cannot see you.
• Slow down in work zones, obey all signs and flaggers and pay attention to the vehicle in front of you (most work zone crashes are rear-end collisions due to an inattentive driver).

Safe Walking and Bicycling

• When crossing streets, remember to look left, right, then left again, before you step off the curb.
• Don't play, walk or bicycle along railroad tracks.
• Parents, be sure to review the bicycle and pedestrian safety rules with your children.
• Check the fit of your bike helmet.
• Always wear your helmet while bicycling or in-line skating.
• Don't wear your bike helmet on the playground, climbing trees, or at other types of play.
• Before riding your bike, do a quick maintenance check of the bike, including brakes, tires, air pressure, chain, handlebars and loose parts. Whether you use your bike a lot or are just dusting it off, do a maintenance check every time you ride.

Sources: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, HSRC, and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.

Enjoy the Ride!

Above all - relax, take it easy, and have fun this summer season!

- 30 -

UNC Highway Safety Research Center contact: Jennifer Bonchak (919) 843-4859

• Media Kit
  • Brochure (PDF)
  • Annual Reports
  • Biographies
  • Logos
• Events
• Newsletter