4th of July Road Trip Tips

Taking a road trip this 4^th of July? According to AAA, 84% of Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend. Although this is a slight decline from the 41.1 million people that traveled in 2012, roads will still be crowded. Here are Central Collision Center’s tips to make your road trip easier:

1. Prepare your vehicle ahead of time.

There’s nothing worse than having car troubles in an unfamiliar area. Be proactive and do a routine maintenance check before you hit the road. Things to check:  tire pressure, washer fluid, wiper blades, oil and lights (headlights, taillights and turn signal). 

GasBuddy is a free app that
helps you find the cheapest gas.

2. Plan your stops.

Instead of stopping at the first gas station you see, use the free app GasBuddy to plan your stops for gas. GasBuddy finds the cheapest gas near you. The app can also find the cheapest gas by city or zip code. Bonus:  you earn rewards for reporting gas prices.

3. Prepare snacks ahead of time.

Bring a variety of snacks to eliminate unnecessary stops and unhealthy purchases. Pack snacks that will travel well and will please all of your travelers. Some healthy suggestions include granola bars, pre-cut vegetables and hummus, string cheese and trail mix. Granola bars, hummus and nuts are packed with protein, which will keep your travelers fuller longer. 

4. Clean as you go.

Make mini garbage cans for the car
from cereal tupperware pourers.

Don’t wait until you’re packing up to come home to clean your car out. Make cleaning easy by giving each row of seats its own garbage can. Place a small garbage or grocery bag in a plastic tupperware container to make mini garbage cans. The container traps smells and is easy to empty each time you stop for gas.

5. Bring in-car entertainment.

Keeping children entertained is key to a successful road trip. Instead of relying on iPads and other electronics, create interactive games. For example, give each of your children a map to decorate as you travel. Each child can draw his or her favorite site for each state. At the end of the trip, each child's map will be different. Bonus:  the maps make great keepsakes and cute additions to photo albums of the trip.

Central Collision Center encourages you to drive carefully this 4th of July. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Driving Through Severe Weather

Severe storms are pummeling the Midwest this week. While news and weather sources may encourage drivers to stay off the road, drivers unexpectedly caught in these storms may have no choice but continue to drive. Central Collision Center has prepared our tips for safely navigating these potentially dangerous situations.

Before the storm:

• Check the condition of your windshield wipers and tires
• Replace immediately if either are worn

During the storm:

• Increase distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you
• Treat traffic lights as stop signs in anticipation of other drivers losing control of their vehicles
• Turn headlights - not brights - on
• Reduce speed to prevent hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is a major cause of accidents during severe weather. Three factors can cause hydroplaning:

1. High speeds, which reduce traction
2. Worn tires, which are less likely to resist hydroplaning
3. Water depth, which reduces traction

Water on roadways can create dangerous driving situations. According to The Weather Channel, six inches of water will reach the bottom of most cars and one foot of water will  float most vehicles. Be cautious driving when any amount of water is present on a roadway, but turn your vehicle around if you have to pass through more than a few inches. 

Central Collision Center urges drivers to be cautious driving during these stormy, summer months. If you have concerns about the safety of your vehicle before the storms hit, please call one of our six locations.