How To Travel Safely On A Canadian Road Trip
Road trips are a fantastic way to explore Canada. They’re a great opportunity for creating memories and they’re easy on your budget too. Plus, you can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of crossing the country at your own space.
But as with any type of travel, there are some safety considerations to take into account. These seven tips will help you to ensure your road trip is safe, enjoyable, and stress-free.
1. Make Sure Your Car is Well Maintained and Road Ready
It goes without saying that your car is integral to your road trip. Before you set off, you need to ensure that your car is in perfect working order and that it’s completely road ready.
Make sure that the tire pressure is correct and that the oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windscreen fluid are topped up. Additionally, check that your spare tire is in perfect condition, and determine upfront if you’ll need to have tire chains or tires that can cope with icy roads.
2. Pack a Road Safety Emergency Kit
Having a road safety kit can make a big difference when things go wrong. A well-stocked road safety kit is a road tripping essential, as you never know what can go wrong, especially if you’re adventuring into the wilderness or camping along the way.
A basic road safety kit will include a first aid kit, a basic car toolkit that includes jumper cables and tyre sealant, a tow rope, a flashlight, a mobile phone charger, water, non-perishable food, a survival blanket, and rainwear. This list is just a starting point and can be customized depending on your intended journey and the time of the year you’re traveling.
3. Check the Weather Conditions
Always check the road and weather conditions before you drive anywhere. Be aware of the season and what type of weather is typical for that time of year. This way, you’ll know what to expect and can prepare yourself for it.
In addition to the weather, you should check the road and traffic conditions before setting off. This will allow you to adjust the day's travel plans as necessary and ensure you’re mentally prepared for sitting in long queues.
Monitoring the road conditions while traveling gives you theflexibility to adapt to heavy travel, bad weather, or any other incidents that occur. It also means you can work out whether to travel on specific days or if you should spend more time exploring your current destination instead.
4. Let Someone Know Where You Are Going
It’s always a good idea to let someone who isn’t traveling with you know where you're going, and when. If you can, provide that person with a copy of your route plan and estimated travel times so that they have an idea of where you’ll be. You don’t have to have a set itinerary as this can ruin the spontaneity of a road trip, but a basic plan is a great idea.
Ideally, you can set up specific check-ins when you send a message or call to assure them that you’re okay. If you’re road-tripping solo or into more remote areas, this is essential. Make arrangements for what the other person should do if you miss check-ins or they are unable to reach you.
5. Know the Canadian Road Rules
If you’re not from Canada, you need to familiarize yourself with the local road rules before you put your key in the ignition. And even if you are a local, a quick brush-up isn't a bad idea, especially if you're traveling to a different province.
Some other important tips for road safety include:
- Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid distractions like mobile phones when behind the wheel.
- Make sure you have had enough sleep before you travel. Fatigue is one of the biggest causes of accidents.
- Take regular breaks. Fatigue can sneak up on you and impair your judgement and awareness without you realizing it.
- Always ensure you have enough gas in your tank for your journey. You can find gas stations using most GPS so that you never run dangerously low.
- Don’t pick up strangers. Particularly if you are travelingalone. While traveling is about seeing new places and meeting new people, a healthy dose of caution will serve you well.
6. Invest In The Right Insurance
It doesn’t matter whether you are driving your own car or hiring one, you need to ensure that you have the right insurance cover for the duration of your trip. There are insurance carriers that cover every type of car and almost every eventuality, so there’s no excuse for neglecting this.
When renting a car, there’s normally mandatory insurance that will cover the car itself, and in some cases, the passengers too. Always check what you are getting for the insurance, as there are many policies that include benefits such as roadside and lost key assistance. If you have a mishap, this can save you a fortune and get you back on the road without too many delays.
7. Have a List of Contact Numbers
Even if you have all the emergency numbers you think you need stored on your mobile phone, do yourself a favor and make a proper, paper list that you keep in the glove box. Your battery may die or you may lose your phone, so a backup is crucial.
Your list should include local and national emergency numbers for wherever you’re going on your trip, as well as your insurance contact details and any accommodation that you’ve booked or are planning on staying at along the way.
It’s not a bad idea to write down any important addresses either as you may need them if you cannot access your phone.
Enjoy Peace of Mind On Your Journey
By following the above safety tips, you can enjoy travelingacross Canada on a road trip that’s memorable for all the right reasons. With just a little preparation, you can set off safe in the knowledge that you’ve done everything possible to stay safe. All that’s left to do then is enjoy the enriching experience that discovering new places brings.
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