Max wants to help make sure you have safe travel on your summer vacation with the following advice!  Remember, planning is good, but remember, you should always plan for the unexpected.

• Safety check your car, including coolant tank and radiator, hoses and belts, tire pressure, oil level, battery, air and fuel filters, windshield wiper fluid, headlights and tail lights. If you at all question your car’s reliability, a good tune up may be just what you need for the sake of safety and peace of mind. Simple maintenance can prevent a dangerous and expensive breakdown.
• Make sure you have your license, registration and current insurance card.
• Prepare an emergency kit to keep in the car. At minimum, pack a flashlight with extra batteries, warning devices, such as flares or reflective triangles, first aid kit and jumper cables. Have a phone number for nationwide automotive assistance in the event you need towing, rental car or maintenance.
• Take turns driving, if possible. A short nap can perk you up and allow you to be more alert while driving.
• Bring your own food and snacks. Convenient store food is fine up to a point, but at some time you may actually require something more nutritious. Load up on bottles of water, juice boxes, crackers, pre-made sandwiches, fruit and other travel friendly snacks.
• Don’t wait until you see Low Fuel to get gas. You are probably driving in unfamiliar territory and never know when you may get stuck in traffic with no gas stations nearby.
• Take frequent breaks. Stretch your legs often as this will cut down on travel fatigue for both driver and passengers.
• Get Sleep. A well-rested driver is a safer driver. Don’t push your limits. While time is precious, so are your family members. Putting too many hours behind the wheel can impair driving and put your family in jeopardy.
• Avoid rush hour traffic. If at all possible, plan your route so you hit major cities outside of peak driving times.
• Bring GPS and a map. GPS is a wonderful navigation tool to have during a road trip, but paper maps are always a good back-up.