road trip Archives - Page 2 of 2

7 Tips for Taking a Road Trip With a Teen Driver

August 15, 2017 by admin

Did your teen just get their driver’s license? Are they more eager than ever to take part in this year’s family road trip?

Getting through the teen driving phase is one of the toughest periods for any parent. It’s inevitable that one day they’ll get behind the wheel, but it always seems to happen too soon. Despite all the stress, studies have shown teens that get their license earlier usually end up being safer drivers.

If your teen wants to be one of the drivers during your family road trip here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Update Your Car Insurance Policy

The car insurance pros at acceptanceinsurance.com suggest that parents check their policies before taking a road trip with teen drivers. The law requires that all drivers must be covered by liability insurance in the vast majority of states, even if they don’t drive a car of their own.

If your teen has a driver’s license and plans to drive the family car, you should add them to your auto insurance policy. Your teen should be listed as an operator of the vehicle, not just a household member.

Plot Your Course Together in Advance

Choosing the destination for a family vacation is one of the first to-dos that have to get done. But often we wait until the car is loaded to pull up a maps app and find the best route.

Knowing where you’re going in advance always helps every driver regardless of age. At least a week or two out, sit down with your teen driver and consider your route options. Consider things beyond distance such as the terrain, highway conditions and traffic. For example, a trip where you’ll be hiking in Vancouver has dramatically different driving conditions compared to visiting the city of Los Angeles.

Discuss all the various factors with your teen driver. It’s also a good time to decide how much driving your teen will do and which legs of the trip will be safest.

Check the Teen Driving Regulations in Each State

Every state lays out their own regulations for teen drivers. After going through the learner’s permit process, you’re probably familiar with your state’s regulations, but what about the states you’ll be driving through?

The states you plan to visit could be more strict or more lenient. Make sure to check with the state DMV for more information to avoid accidentally violating the rules of the road.

Don’t Sleep While They Drive

Teen drivers need supervision, especially if they’re driving through unfamiliar territory. It may be tempting to catch a power nap while your teen is driving, but fight the urge. Stay awake and alert so you can act as their co-pilot and make sure they aren’t doing anything risky like texting while driving.

Keep Your Emotions Under Control

We have a way of feeding off the emotions of others. If you’re stressed and on-edge while your teen is driving it will do nothing but increase their anxiety. Raising your voice or getting into an argument should definitely be avoided since it can make your teen driver emotional.

If you find that your teen’s driving is just too stressful during the family road trip ask them to pull over at the next stop so you can use the restroom. Once you’re done, take back the driver’s seat.

Avoid High-Traffic Areas and Times

Some believe in throwing a person in the deep end to teach them how to swim. That’s not an advisable tactic for teen drivers on a family road trip. It’s best to stick to portions of the route that are less likely to have traffic and times when there are fewer cars on the road.

Avoid Teen Driving in a Rental

Are you planning on renting a vehicle for your family road trip? Then your teen may have to put up with sitting in the back seat. No car rental company will rent a vehicle to a person who’s under 18, and many refuse to turn over the keys to drivers that are 20 years old or younger.

Even though it’s legal for a teen to drive while the parent is in the car, the car rental company may forbid it. Read the fine print carefully to avoid potentially expensive problems.

Exploring the English Countryside by Car – Top Destinations and Attractions

July 7, 2017 by admin

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If you’ve got a bit of holiday time coming up and you would like to have a low-key vacation that doesn’t involve air travel, then you may want to stick close to home and plan a trip by car. Here in England, there are a number of beautiful, scenic, historic, and interesting places to visit, much of which is found in the world famous English countryside. Here’s a look at some of the top destinations and attractions worth visiting as you explore the English countryside by car.

Dorset – a Designated Area of Beauty

Don’t just take others’ word for it that Dorset is worth visiting, let its designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty speak for itself. If you’re interested in exploring ancient monuments, this is home to 5% of the country’s collection. Some of the most noteworthy sites include Cerne Abbas Giant, Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, and various hill forts such as the popular Maiden Castle.

Cornwall – a Dose of Seaside Scenery Await

Maybe you prefer to take in the countryside with a dose of seaside scenery. If that’s the case then Cornwall is well worth a visit. Here you’ll find stunning natural beaches lined with water activities, incredible landscape, opportunities for nature walks and exploring the villages, and that quaint feel that people love.

The Cotswolds – a Look at Traditional England Landscape and Architecture

Take a step back in time and explore “traditional England” when you explore the area between Oxford, Bath, Strafford on Avon, and the Cotswolds. What is so notable about this area is that little has changed over the past couple of centuries, it’s as though you’re stepping back into time. The area is known for its traditional limestone homes and walls, stunning valleys, quaint cottages, and Cotswold stone roofs.

Lake District – A Truly Relaxing Experience

The Lake District is the perfect way to combine the beauty of the English countryside with the lazy and relaxing feeling you get on a lake holiday. This area is filled with pristine lakes, rolling mountains, and a variety of villages and towns. Some of the most visited towns include Kendal, Keswick, and Ambleside. Visitors can go shopping, dining, hiking, and take a walking tour.

One Word of Note

Of course, if you plan to be exploring the English countryside by car, you’ll also need to have a valid driver’s licence and vehicle to drive. If you don’t yet have your licence and you’re looking to move through the process as quickly and smoothly as possible, then take a practice driving theory test on Toptests. Up to 25% of people fail their theory test the first time they take it, but by using these online practice tests you’ll be sure to be prepared, saving yourself a whole lot of time and hassle.

Make the Trip Exactly What You Want

The lovely thing about heading out on a driving trip is that you’ve got total control over what kind of trip you have, where you go, how long you’re gone, and the pace of the trip.

How to Keep Your Puppy Happy on a Long Road Trip

May 8, 2017 by admin

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Spring is here and summer is close by, and that can mean only one thing: you have wanderlust! On stunningly bright blue days with fluffy white clouds dotting the skyline, who wouldn’t want to jump in the car and head to the nearest beach or hiking trail for a weekend vacation?

It’s only natural to want to get out and go when the weather is a perfect storm of cool breezes, blue sky and aromatic blooming flowers. But, as a responsible puppy parent, taking off whenever you feel like it just isn’t feasible. If you want to go anywhere for a few nights’ stay that’ll require bunking in the car, you’ll need to make sure your number one doggo is good to go.

Here are a few ways to keep your pup happy on extended family road trips.

Secure your pup. In many states, allowing your dog to roam freely in the backseat of a moving vehicle is illegal. Not only is this maneuver illegal, but if you were to be involved in an auto accident, your dog could sustain a serious injury. To keep your pup safe and feelin’ chill in the backseat, USA Today suggests investing in a dog seat-belt. A dog seat-belt is a type of harness that straps the pooch safely in the backseat while still giving them room to breathe, stretch out and relax.

To make sure your mutt is extra comfy, pack up one of his dog beds and lay it out on the seat. The familiar smells and textures of the bed will distract him from the moving vehicle anxiety some dogs suffer from and should hopefully help him to fall comfortably asleep.

Stop for potty breaks. Is anything ever more uncomfortable than when you need to use a restroom and there are none in sight? If you’ve mapped out the pit stops along the way of your weekend excursion (if not, you should!), make sure you’ve done the same for your four-legged traveling companion. Dogs need a potty break every 4-10 hours. And to keep from sitting too long and forming blood clots, you both should get out of the car and stretch your legs every two hours.

Should your dog in her excitement manage to get away from you, you’ll want to make sure she’s wearing something highly identifiable so she is easily found. A colorful personalized embroidered dog collar will make her easier to spot and will help fellow travelers know that she’s the pooch being sought after.

Keep the music down low. As much as you may want to turn your road trip playlist on at full blast, doing so could damage your pup’s sensitive ears. Instead, keep the volume turned down low and only have the music playing at the front of your car.

Pack goodies. Like children on long car rides, dogs can get bored and irritable. To keep your dog entertained while you look for the exit you need to take to get to your campsite, pack a few of their favorite toys, preferably toys that require a lot of chewing. The more focused they are on their toy, the less they’re crying out to be let in the front seat beside you.

Monitor the air flow. Make sure that the backseat isn’t too hot or too cold. To remain feeling well and fresh, your pupper will need her airflow to feel natural and relaxing. You may be tempted to roll the windows down so she can stick her head out and let her ears flap in the wind, but you must refrain from doing this. Jaymi Heimbuch of Mother Nature Network writes that this is dangerous as another motorist could come into contact with your pup’s head on the highway. And if your pup is unrestrained, they could jump or fall out of your moving vehicle, causing a fatal injury.

If you follow the canine ride safety tips above, you and your pupper will be in for a fun road trip together!