Hitting the open road for a family trip is always an exciting adventure. That thrill, however, can quickly sour if you fail to take the necessary planning and precautionary steps. Before firing up the engine and cruising out on the highway, keep these tips in mind to help make the experience as enjoyable and safe as possible—without any unplanned visits to the body shop.

3 Family Road Trip Safety Tips

1. Get a Pre-Trip Tuneup

Avoiding any surprise car maintenance or body shop pit stops is likely a high priority for your family journey. To make sure your vehicle is in road-trip shape, take it in for a tuneup. The tires, fluids, air conditioner, battery, and other important engine elements will all be examined and refreshed if necessary. Giving your vehicle a once-over at home is fine, but the experience of a professional will catch any issues that might be missed during a DIY inspection.

2. Pack a Safety Kit

Although you hope to never have to use it, it’s crucial to have a safety kit in your vehicle before heading out for a family road trip. Packing blankets, a flashlight, emergency cellphone, first-aid kit, jumper cables, and tire-change tools will let you handle a wide variety of situations in the event you break down while out on the road.

3. Get Plenty of Sleep

Thousands of accidents are the result of drowsy driving. Being attentive while driving is important while on a family road trip, and that means getting plenty of sleep the night before you depart. Be sure only to head out if you’re feeling rested and switch drivers as soon as you start to feel drowsy. Having an attentive driver at the wheel will help your family stay safe and reduce the chance of an accident that could send you to the body shop or hospital.

Whether you dinged up your car during a family road trip or simply while backing out of the driveway, the body shop experts of Specialty Paint & Body are ready to help get your vehicle back in order. With more than 25 years serving the Athens, GA, region, the skilled technicians handle a variety of tasks including frame straightening and color matching, and will even tow your car to the shop if necessary. Visit the website for a full list of services or call (706) 353-8126 to speak with a friendly representative.