Create Safe and Fun Summer Road Trips

Safety and Entertainment Advice from Consumer Guide(R) Automotive Experts

LINCOLNWOOD, Ill., May 25 -- Memorial Day officially starts the American family summer vacation season. With a few tips from the expert automotive editors at Consumer Guide(R) Automotive ( http://auto.consumerguide.com/ ) families can make these trips more enjoyable through preparation.

"No matter how far families are traveling on the road, it is important to balance excitement and fun with the safety of everyone in the vehicle," said Grant Whitmore, vice president of Consumer Guide(R) Automotive. "Our automotive editorial team has outlined some key considerations to ensure that road trips are safe and exciting for the whole family."

Consumer Guide(R) Automotive Tips:

Vehicle maintenance -- Up-to-date vehicle maintenance keeps on the road surprises and unexpected expenses to a minimum.

   -- Prior to departure, visually check the air conditioning, coolant and
      oil, wipers and wiper fluid, vehicle lights, horn, belts and hoses,
      and of course, the battery.  Look for signs of wear, frayed wires, or
      fluid leaks.
   -- Properly inflated tires ensure the best possible contact between the
      tire and the road, and also improve gas mileage.  Drivers may need to
      adjust tire pressures to compensate for the increased vehicle load.

Seating and restraints -- Correct seating and restraints for adults and children are mandatory by law.

   -- Never travel with more passengers than you have seatbelts.
   -- The best place for kids is the back seat in an approved and properly
      installed child seat.  Most dealerships and fire stations will provide
      free child-safety seat inspections.
   -- Consider restraining family pets in a specially designed travel
      kennel.

Prepare an emergency kit -- This should be kept in every vehicle at all times but may need to be updated for a road trip.

   -- Emergency kits should contain a flashlight, flares, a first-aid kit,
      jumper cables, extra clothes and gloves, paper towels/cloths, wiper
      fluid, food, and water.
   -- Drivers should keep a basic tool kit in the vehicle at all times
      containing a wrench, a ratchet and sockets, screwdrivers, and pliers
      or Vise-Grips.
   -- If traveling into unfamiliar territory, get the names, addresses, and
      phone numbers of dealerships along your route.

Know your route -- Plan a driving route ahead of schedule, and bring a detailed map.

   -- Share your planned route with a friend or family member who will not
      be on the trip.
   -- Know alternative routes for sudden changes in plans, and carry
      relevant maps to use as a guide.
   -- Put a passenger in charge of navigation.

Entertaining children -- Keeping children entertained and comfortable on a long trip is not an easy task.

   -- Before starting a road trip, let children be involved in planning and
      preparation.
   -- It is also important to ensure children have toys and books to keep
      them entertained.
   -- Old standby games like the License-Plate game and I-Spy, as well as
      singing songs, is a simple form of entertainment.
   -- Renting a portable DVD player to watch movies is a potential safety
      risk.  Improperly secured portable players may injure passengers in an
      accident.

Planning ahead ensures the safety of the vehicle and its occupants, and assists in making the drive fun. Adequate preparation can make a summer road trip a memorable vacation.

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