Summer Safety – Road Trips

Summer is the season for sunny getaways.  Every summer, people take to the road with friends and family.  Before you pack up the car and head out, here are some safety tips from Davis & Gelshenen to make sure your road trip goes along without a hitch:

1. Pack Light

SUV’s and minivans have a tendency to be top heavy.  While it may be tempting to strap some more gear to the top of your SUV, remember that added weight on top increases your vehicle’s chances of rolling over.  No matter what kind of vehicle you own, packing excessive weight to the rear or top of the vehicle impairs the steering and changes your stopping distance ability.

When loading up your car, make sure that your rear window visibility is not impaired. The driver’s ability to see out all windows is crucial to vehicle safety.  This safety step also prevents cargo from falling onto passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident.

2. Vehicle Maintenance

Making sure that your vehicle is ready for the road is an important step in making sure you make it to your destination safely.  Don’t get on the road without making sure that your maintenance is up to date.

This includes checking your car battery, brake pads, oil and coolant.  Consult with your local automotive shop to clarify that your tires are in good condition and don’t leave home without a tire gauge, jack, and lug wrench in your vehicle.

3. Child Safety

See our earlier post about Child Safety Seating to get comprehensive and up to date information on making sure kids are safe on your trip.

4. Driver Safety

Distracted driving has become a hot issue with the expansion of cell phone technology.  Make sure that the driver on your Road Trip is not distracted with text messaging, phone conversations, and other portable electronic devices such as GPS, laptops, and video screens.

Passengers should take over the use of these gadgets.  If you are driving solo, pull over to the side of the road if it is imperative you use the device.

If neither of these are an option, make sure to use bluetooth enabled headsets to minimize hand-held electronic distraction.

5. Staying Alert

Driver fatigue is most commonly encountered on long road trips.  Fatigue can cause delayed reaction time, veering of your vehicle, and misjudging of traffic signals and situations.

Make sure to follow these helpful tips to prevent driver fatigue:

• Schedule regular breaks throughout your trip. Try to take breaks every two hours on the road.
• Don’t work a full day before taking your road trip.
• Don’t drink alcohol the night before driving.
• Share driving responsibilities.
• Avoid driving during regular sleeping hours.

Following these simple steps will ensure you reach your destination safely.  Not having to worry about breakdowns or accidents will make your summer road trip exciting, fun, and stress free   Taking some time out for precautions is the best way to protect yourself and your family this summer.

(Photo Credit- Zachary Tewalthomas 2009)

Texting While Driving now Illegal in Wisconsin

Governor Jim Doyle recently signed a bill into law enforcing penalties to drivers who text while driving.  The fines are similar to those applied for inattentive driving, with fines ranging from $20.00 to $400.00.  The law takes effect December 1, 2010.

The texting-while-driving ban falls under the primary enforcement category, which means that police officers can ticket drivers for texting while driving, without any other provocation, such as traffic infractions.

Atty. Gelshenen Fights For Child Hit By SUV

A little boy in Beloit, Wisconsin was hit by a SUV.  The SUV driver told the child’s mother that he did not have automobile liability insurance.  She called Atty. John Gelshenen.  He and his team at Davis & Gelshenen investigated the accident and discovered a liability insurance policy that provided coverage for the boy’s injuries.

Attorney Gelshenen forced the insurance company to pay the full policy limits and settled the case.  The little boy will receive  $227,777.17 to cover his medical bills and pain and suffering.

Davis & Gelshenen investigates your claim and gets you results.  Call Atty. John Gelshenen toll free at 1-866-427-2121 for a FREE CONSULTATION.  You can also email him at jgelshenen@dgattorneys.com.