Summer Road Travel Tips for Rhode Island Drivers

As Rhode Islanders, we’ve got it made in the summer. With close proximity to the Newport and Narragansett beaches, it’s no wonder tourists flock to Little Rhody this time of year. As local residents, we don’t have to drive far to cool off or find something fun to do. If lucky, we’ll get to the beach a handful of times or take a day trip to see some part of the state we’ve yet to see. Or maybe you want to escape the crowded beaches and head elsewhere. Either way, you and the family will be heading out on the road to drive to your destination. Summer is supposed to be easy and carefree, and Tapalian Law, your Providence car accident law firm, agrees. But as auto accident lawyers, it’s our duty to remind you to keep safety in mind as you are driving so you can reach your summer destination safely.

Before You Hit the Road

Before you jump in the SUV, or RV, whatever your preferred way to travel, you need to do some planning. A little advanced preparation can go a long way in preventing a car crash or a highway breakdown, and its consequences. Even if you aren’t traveling far, car accidents commonly happen close to home, so it’s worth taking the extra measures recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Service Your Vehicle: Make sure regular maintenance has been performed on your vehicle, including oil changes, tune-ups, battery checks, and a tire inspection. If you are not sure about something, take your car into a professional mechanic to get checked. Don’t forget tires, lights, cooling system, fluid levels, belts and hoses, wiper blades, and air conditioning.

Check for Auto Recalls: Many drivers are not aware of a safety recall on their vehicle. The NHTSA offers an on-line tool to search for safety recalls by VIN.

Protect Your Children In & Around the Car

As parents, we will do anything in our power to keep our children safe. This also applies to riding with little ones in the car. As vehicle accident lawyers, we never want to see a young child hurt in a car crash. A little precaution goes a long way in keeping our kid’s safe in the car. Please remember:

Children under age 13 should ride in the back seat. Check that all car seats and booster seats are installed correctly. Review the manufacturer’s installation instructions, or contact your local police department. They often have an officer trained in car seat installation. Make sure your child is using the correct seat for their size and/or age. Don’t leave children alone in the car. Dangers like heatstroke can occur, even after a short time. Vehicles heat up quickly and a child’s body temperature rises much faster than an adult’s. Keep the car doors locked when leaving the vehicle so kids can’t climb in the unoccupied vehicle to play and get trapped resulting in heatstroke or injuries like seat-belt entanglement. Never leave a child unattended around a vehicle or outside playing near a vehicle. Children playing near a car, truck, or SUV can unknowingly become a tragic victim of a backover. Use back-up cameras but also check around a vehicle before climbing in. Bigger vehicles like SUV’s and RV’s are more likely to be involved in backover accidents than cars. Small children are difficult to see in an SUV or truck’s “blind zone” and are the most likely victims of a backover.

Stay Alert

Driving, especially long distances, can be tiring. Children asking “are we there yet?” can be distracting. Even so, don’t let the temptation to let your attention drift off take your eyes off the road. Take frequent stops to stretch and use the restroom and take along healthy snacks and drinks to keep your energy up.

Avoid getting distracted: If its necessary to access the GPS or make a phone call, either pull over or give the duty to a passenger. It bears repeating, it is illegal to text while driving in Rhode Island. It will also be illegal in 2018 to use a hand-held phone while driving in Rhode Island, so practice now by keeping your hands off the phone and your eyes on the road.

Don’t drive impaired: Using alcohol or drugs while driving impairs your motor skills, judgement, and perception. Doing so and causing a crash can result in death or serious injury to the driver, the passengers and other vehicle occupants on the road. Driving while impaired is completely preventable- don’t take the risk.

Contact Tapalian Law If You Need Help

We hope these summer tips for safe driving help ensure you and your family safe and happy travels this summer. If the unfortunate circumstance happens where you are involved in an auto accident and suffer from injuries, please seek immediate medical help. If you, your child, or another loved one, was hurt due to the negligence of another driver, seek the assistance of professional Providence car accident attorney David Tapalian who specializes in helping victims who have been hurt in collisions. Whether your auto accident happened in Newport, Narragansett, or Providence, we are here to help you reclaim what you lost. With offices conveniently located in downtown Providence and nearby Seekonk, Massachusetts, Attorney Tapalian is a skilled car accident lawyer with many years of expertise in helping personal injury victims get their lives back on track. Contact Tapalian Law today for a free consultation at 401-552-5000 or reach out to us through our contact form.