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While driving is a special experience for those who enjoy it, we all know that it’s not the most predictable of activities.  Things can happen on the road that you weren’t expecting, and so it’s best to always prepared for them in advance. Remaining a safe and competent driver takes effort and diligence, but is your duty on the road now and always.

Preparing for road issues before they even begin could be considered the height of road intelligence.  Odds are, if you are willing to invest in a high quality vehicle experience such as becoming an Audi owner, you have the foresight necessary to care for all manner of  road considerations.

Some road issues cannot be prevented, but can be prepared for.  With this in mind we would like to give you renewed winter driving advice, just in case you are coming to the roads anew, or simply need a safety refresher.  

With this in mind:

Remain Vigilant

Road safety is never something that is completed.  It will always be appropriate no matter if you give up driving tomorrow, or drive until you’re 90 years old.  The competent driver remains vigilant throughout all they years on the roads. This means ensuring they are alert, awake, and responsive.  

If you feel yourself driving sluggishly, are unaware of road signs in a new area, or feel like your driving has become lazy and sloppy as of late, try to connect to the source of this issue.  It might be you need to sleep more before journey’s, or even take a driving refresher course. While these might seem an inconvenience to your current schedule, it can be extremely worthwhile to prioritize your safety and the safety of others by taking measures like this.  Think that you would enjoy others to do the same and try to lead by example, even quietly.

Inspect Vehicle

No great driver can be great without a car that is functional.  Learn to inspect your car thoroughly.  From tire pressure, to computing issues, to driving pull, it can be essentially important to know exactly what issues are there.  Even if you’re not aware of how to replace or repair the problem, being able to report it accurately can be worthwhile in itself. Over time, this knowledge will give you the tools to predict when a problem will arise through feel and inspection power alone.  This can be essentially important when hoping to drive a functional complete vehicle.

Be A Great Passenger

Remaining a great passenger is your duty.  Learning to drive well means learning to respect those in control of the car.  Do not be the drunken fool in a vehicle during a night out. Do not allow them to drink drive, or help them with the application process in using a DWI accident lawyer to help when they have encountered one on the road. Help your newly qualified friend overcome driving issues or insecurities they might face, and remained supportive, quiet and patient.  This can help any driver stay focused and take control of the conversation as well as the road.

With these tips, you are sure to prepare for road issues before they even begin.

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Many people are using their weekends now to travel and see different places. It could be to see family that live in different parts of the country, it may be to take weekend breaks or to go on holiday. But spending more time on the roads, can mean that the journeys are becoming harder to handle. So if you have a long car journey ahead, then here are some of the tips to help you get through them.

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Check traffic updates regularly

No one wants to be stuck in a traffic jam of some sort, do they? The type where you don’t move for what feels like hours, adding to your car journey making it even longer than it already needs to be. It is frustrating to say the least, not just for the driver, but for anyone else sat in the car. Checking traffic cams and also looking at reports can help you identify fin there is an issue on your route, and even enable you to plan a new one to avoid it in the first place. Satellite navigation systems are also good at redirecting you away from potential hold ups.

Pack snacks for the journey

A long journey will mean that at some stage you are going to get hungry, so having a good supply of snacks is essential. This is also important if you are travelling with other people in the car, especially children. Getting hungry can make you angry and upset, so having food on hand can help you avoid these emotions.

Have a decent supply of water

It is also essential to have a decent supply of water. It can be tempting to avoid drinking so that you don’t need to stop off for bathroom breaks, but getting dehydrated can affect you in many ways, especially with your concentration. Which is essential when driving. Having water on hand will help you stay on track.

Plan plenty of rest spots

You need to make sure that during a long car journey you plan regular rest stops to ensure that you take a walk around and get some fresh air. Being sat, especially in a driver position for too long, isn’t any good for you at all. This can also help you avoid getting too tired on the road. A rest stop gives you chance to stretch your legs and also go the bathroom. Even getting some food and drink in a service station can break up the journey for all involved.

Don’t drive when tired

Finally, the best advice would be to never drive when you are tired. You need to have full concentration on the road, not just for your safety and the passenger sin your car, but also for the people involved on the road. It is extremely important that you take the rest stops and drive during the day for the best light and energy levels. It can make all of the difference.

Let’s hope these tips help you if you have any long car journeys planned for the future.

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Assuming you want to stay as safe as possible on the road – and who doesn’t, right? There are a few things you really need to avoid. Letting your focus lapse for just a second or two can literally be cataclysmic, so you want to do everything you can to stop this from happening. Below you’ll find 4 things you should avoid if you want to stay safe on the road. Take a look:

1. Getting Road Rage

You might think that you can’t help getting angry on the road, but road rage can actually be extremely dangerous. Staying calm at all times is a must if you want to improve the way that you drive. When you get angry on the road, you can lose focus, not look where you should be, and take your hands off the road. In the USA, road rage is the leading cause of accidents.

You should avoid driving if you’re already upset, and don’t leave journeys until the last minute so you end up stressed out. Don’t get out of the car to confront other drivers, either. Other drivers might get road rage, and you’ll likely be faced with a situation like this at some point. However, your main aim at this point should be to get out of their way. Don’t play games and irritate them further if they are honking while trying to get past you, for example.

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2. Neglecting Your Vehicle

Car maintenance can be costly and time-consuming, but you’ll spend even more time and money fixing it up if you don’t get into the habit. The main things to check are:

– Oil

– Water

– Electrics

– Tires

Set yourself a schedule that you follow monthly so you know when you need to check what. Keeping your car in great condition is the best way to reduce your risk of having an accident and having to contact a car accident lawyer to help you sort things out.

3. Driving In Extreme Weather Conditions

Driving in extreme weather conditions should be avoided, but if you have to drive, you’ll need to take extra precautions. Stopping distances increase significantly, your visibility is reduced, and you might not feel as confident on the road. Be very mindful when getting into the car during heavy rain, snow, or ice. Take extra car, drive at a slower pace, and increase the space between you and other cars on the road. Make sure you’re alert and vigilant at all times.

4. Having Your Phone Somewhere You Can See It

Even if you’re not directly using your phone, having it somewhere you can see it can mean getting distracted by notifications and taking your attention off the road. Even talking on a hands-free device can be distracting while you should be focused on the road. Wait until you are safely parked before picking up your phone at all. If you use your phone as a sat nav, make sure it’s all set up properly before you set off so you don’t have to touch it. You can still get in big trouble for this if you’re caught, and it’s still dangerous.

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Do you ever just get that urge to jump in your car with a couple of things for the day, and just drive anywhere? No? Well, we get why. Sometimes driving is just a nightmare, but that’s usually because you associate driving with going to the worst places, such as work, or sitting in traffic to go and pick the kids up. The nightmare of driving just seems to grow and grow as the years pass. But, what happens if you inject a little fun in your reasoning to go for a drive? Well, you just can’t wait to hop in the car and go and do something. We think road trips are the best thing to do when you’re looking to fill the day with random fun. Because you don’t just need to head to somewhere where you know. You could literally just go on a few twists and turns, and before you know it you could end up somewhere completely magical. So, if you need some more convincing, here’s how we think you can have a road trip of a lifetime.

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Go With The Best People

There’s no point you going on a road trip and being bored out of your brains. You have to make sure you’re going with the right people if you want the right amount of fun. In our eyes, your friends are going to be the best people you can go with. They’ll allow you to let your hair down, create endless fun for the day, and you simply just might not do crazy things like this anymore. Sometimes it’s easy as friends to just meet up every so often to do the same thing, which is usually going to the pub. If you do something a little different like this, it truly will be the road trip of a lifetime, just because of the people you’re doing it with.

Never Let It Be A Fail

When you think of a road trip, you probably imagine songs blasting, laughs flowing, and the odd chime in of a satnav. Wrong. Sometimes you could have this big idea planned out in your head, but everything can go wrong. One thing we’ve noticed that happens a lot when you pile people in to a car, is that the car gets ruined. You should try and get things like all-weather floor mats, seat covers, and definitely have a no sloppy food rules. As soon as people start eating something that has a ton of sauce in it, it just seems to fly all over the car. Only dry foods, and keep drinking drinks without a top on to a minimum. You also need to make sure the car is ready for the road trip. Ensure the tire pressure is right, and there’s enough oil and coolant.

Have A Sense Of Adventure

Finally, you really do need to have a sense of adventure if you’re going to enjoy a road trip. You’ve got to not mind sitting in a car for a couple of hours, and going where the wind takes you. Or, in this case, the sat nav. If you hate going out to places you don’t know, then this definitely is not the idea for you.

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Planning vacations when you have kids is something that many people would consider a talent in and of itself, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re planning a short trip to visit family in the next state or if you’re flying to the other side of the world, it’s definitely something that is rather stressful – especially the actual traveling part.

However, it’s not all bad and can be made less stressful when you know how to plan ahead for it, and once you have a system in place and actually get used to traveling with your children, then you won’t really notice any major difference between that and traveling on your own.

It’s also a good idea to start traveling with children when they’re as young as possible, because this really helps them get used to it and makes them less likely to be bad or anxious travelers.

The great thing about road trips as a way of traveling with your family is that it offers a setting that can include more home comforts and is less stressful because there’s no waiting around in airports or being crammed into tiny airplane seats with children who are full of energy and losing patience.

In this post, we’ve included some useful tips to help you plan for successful family road trip.

Organize The Mode Of Transport:

Over the years, road trips have gained so much popularity all over the world for their free-spirit approach to travel, but they certainly don’t have to involve being stuck in a small car for days on end with everyone fighting over what music gets played and having to stop for bathroom breaks every hour.

Of course, you may choose to take a road trip in your car, and they can absolutely be comfortable for shorter journeys, but for a bigger vacation-style road trip, then considering an RV or motor home is something a lot of people go for, and they make for a much more comfortable and enjoyable road trip.

Have Safety Checks Carried Out On The Transport:

No matter what kind of travel you do, safety should always come first, so if you’re planning a road trip, then making sure the chosen mode of transport, whether it may a car or RV is currently in good condition that meets the latest safety standards by getting it thoroughly checked before taking off on your road trip.

Have A Clear, But Flexible Plan:

Having a plan when traveling – especially with your family if that includes children is absolutely crucial, even if it’s just for your own sanity, but it’s also important to remember that you simply cannot be in control of every little thing, so having a flexible approach to your plan that leaves room for things to be changed at short notice is key to, not only helping you stay as stress free as possible, but also to having fun, because let’s be honest – vacations are supposed to be fun and not dictated by rigid rules and plans.

Choose Your Route:

The great thing about a road trip is the massive amounts of options you have available for the routes you can take and the things that lie along the way. Of course, you’re not going to be able to see everything in the country, but picking a few landmarks that you really want to visit will help you devise the best possible route. Whether you want to go for a bucket-list road trip across Route 66, or something a bit more low-key, there are certainly no shortage of amazing things to see no matter which route you choose for your road trip.

Anticipate Issues That May Arise:

It’s very rare in general life that everything goes perfectly to plan, and this is even less so the case when traveling, so although we’re certainly not suggesting that you expect bad things to happen, it’s just good sense to be aware of some common issues that may come up when traveling through the country on a road trip.

Stock Up On Supplies:

If you’re traveling in an RV, then you’ll likely have good storage and possibly even cooking facilities, so when you’re traveling from place to place you won’t have to worry about stopping every few hours for fast food. Stocking up on key supplies, such as food, water, and even gas in case you run out is always a good idea to ensure that your road trip goes as smoothly and problem-free as possible.

Get Insurance:

When traveling anywhere, it’s always highly recommended to take out travel insurance, but when going somewhere on a road-trip, then ensuring that you have the correct car insurance or insurance for your RV is crucial, not only from a legal perspective, but for safety reasons. You can discover more about the various types of auto insurance available online.

Bring Entertainment For Children:

Whilst you may be happy simply taking in the beautiful and varied scenery along the way throughout your road trip, children – especially younger ones are not so easily entertained, so making sure you bring plenty to keep them occupied during the trip is a good idea. This can include things like bringing an iPad loaded with their favorite shows and movies, board games you can all play together, or even craft sets and coloring books and will definitely go a long way to ensuring an enjoyable and relaxing road trip for everyone involved.

Bring Your Paperwork:

Simply just having insurance and a contract for your RV is not enough, you need to make sure you have them with you just in case you do get stopped and are asked to prove anything. It could also be a good idea to bring copies of passports and birth certificates as proof of identity if ever needed. Likewise, making sure you have a clean driving record with no outstanding convictions, charges or warrants is something you should absolutely take care of because this could cause major problems during your road trip if you don’t.

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There is nothing better than the thought of you and your friends hitting the open road. Some people even plan trips at Thanksgiving and the holidays because they love the feeling of freedom. Sitting behind the wheel and visiting every city on the map, and ones that aren’t is a special experience.

Of course, not everybody enjoys the trip as much as others. Like all vacations, there are roadblocks which you need to bypass if you’re going to have a memorable journey. Otherwise, the thought of the trip will be better than the real-life moments and that’s just a tease.

Below you’ll find a few things to consider before starting the engine.

Choose Your Traveling Buddies Wisely

Part of the trip is figuring out how to get along with your friends for the duration. Lots of BFFs fall out and argue because being cooped up all day is too much to handle. So, it makes sense to ask people who are easy going and laid back, or who like to plan stuff. Then, you can bounce off one another and get along. Also, don’t forget about their driving skills. For one thing, do they have a license? There is nothing worse than having to hold back because you’re the designated driver.

Pool Your Money

Okay, there’s no need to take out a joint bank account, but you don’t want to have more money than your friend, either. Resentment occurs when people can’t do the things they want because they don’t have enough cash. Awkward! So, instead of splitting, you can pool both funds and drive a little further before coming home. Plus, it stops the inevitable “who paid for what?” fights that break out. Because the costs are split, there is no need to argue over money or miss out on the chance of a lifetime.

Bring A Repair Kit

Sure, there is a recovery number in the glove compartment and you’ll call it when something goes wrong. There are two problems with this plan: A) they might not arrive and B) it could take ages to find your location. Considering the majority of car issues are cosmetic, you can repair them by the side of the road with the right tools. Check out www.peakhd.com for a range of antifreeze options which will get the engine going again in the winter weather. As always, a wrench, a jack, and a spare tire are essentials. See www.hagerty.com for a full list.

Screw The Plan

There will be a plan of attack, one that you’ll try to follow to the letter. However, in the true Emma Chase spirit, it’s best to leave it behind and go with the flow. By all means, stop off at the destinations which you’ve wanted to see for a while, but don’t stress about the others. Because it’s about the things that happen in between, not the destination, stopping off in small towns and villages is where you’ll have the most fun.

Don’t you think the best type of fun is spontaneous?

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Thanksgiving is the art of giving thanks and extending a gesture of peace. Dating back to 1621 when English pilgrims celebrated a generous harvest by sharing a feast with a tribe of Native Americans, the habit was reproduced by several states throughout the years until finally it was made national holiday across the country. The primary reason for Thanksgiving was a way for the population to get together and bond over the harvest and the resources of nature, giving thanks to each other, the environment, the weather, and anybody else who helped to prepare the dinner. Ultimately, nowadays, the meaning of Thanksgiving has been diluted by parades, sports and turkey feast – apparently, the first Thanksgiving feasts didn’t have turkey on the menu. But there’s a ritual has remained: At Thanksgiving families and friends travel to get together. You could break the tradition and travel together instead.

Thanksgiving Dinner Food Autumn Fall Thanksgiving

Take the Thanksgiving table on the road

Everyone will be traveling anyway

Who says Thanksgiving, says traffic jam. While you use Google to help determine the best time to avoid the holiday rush – although most recommendations start at 6 AM and end around 8 PM to prevent late-night driving. The best time to leave the city is as early as possible, but Google warns that you probably won’t be able to avoid traffic altogether. In other words, as you’re going to spend most of your Thanksgiving preps in a vehicle, why not turn your holiday into a road trip instead? Wednesday is going to be the heaviest day on the road. So, think ahead and leave as early as Tuesday before the Thanksgiving Thursday, so that you and your family or friends can get ahead of the traffic.

Plan for out of this world comfort

A road trip, and especially in November, requires some planning. As you’ll spend plenty of time in a vehicle, you might want to ditch the car for an RV – check Forest River Rockwood for the best vehicles – so that everyone can be comfortable inside. Additionally, as a passenger – and let’s be honest, if you’re traveling in an RV there will be plenty of passengers – you need to prepare for the long hours on the road. Make sure to pack sickness motion tablets for your folks – nobody likes to feel nauseous before eating the turkey! You can also add books and music devices – from your kindle to packing all your favorite albums on Spotify.

Best destinations for togetherness

Last, but not least, there’s no point heading into big cities as you’ll face only traffic. You’ll find plenty of small towns that know how to get the Thanksgiving spirit going. Fredericksburg in Texas is a small German-inspired town that is filled with excitement and traditions such as the Thanksgiving dance. If you prefer a peaceful holiday, park your vehicle by the Catskill Mountain where you can still enjoy the last of the fall leaves. Before the ski season. You can even enjoy a picturesque Thanksgiving picnic by the waterfall in Windham!

Thanksgiving cultivates the art of togetherness, which doesn’t force you to stay at home. You can be together anywhere, even more on a road trip that lets you engage with the local nature and population.

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