Insurance Company Offers Tips To Help Make Your Road Trips Memorable and Safe

But First Snide's Remarks: Twenty years ago when this wonderful and fanciful series of Great Drive articles authored by travel writer Steve Wilkinson was first published here on The Auto Channel there was no talk or even a thought (except for Jetson Fans) of ever having to consider giving up our freedom of mobility and the many pleasures of driving, in exchange for a robotic ride controlled by a bundle of (made in China) silicon valley invented chips and a fear of the implementation of a government run "Central Traffic Control Administration" with the ability and political potential to make us safe by eliminating our hard earned freedom of mobility.

Those of you who are regular readers of The Auto Channel know that for the past few years the boys and girls from the digital world with the backing of investment bankers have been hot and heavily pushing "Autonomous Vehicles"...transportation appliances that will eliminate, and replace “Driving with Riding”.

In the hope to counter the myriad autonomous vehicle propaganda, The Auto Channel management has decided to republish and spotlight these evergreen Great Drive articles which can stimulate the daydreams of experienced drivers and awaken the appetites of those modern youngsters who have never experienced just how exhilarating and fulfilling the freedom of a Great Drive on an open road can be... enjoy!

SEE ALSO: Great Drives!

WASHINGTON July 23, 2019; Millions of Americans will be putting millions of miles on their vehicles this summer as they head out for the annual adventure: the great American road trip. A lot of fond memories will be made as travelers visit national parks and seashores, adventure parks and family reunion sites.

Before everyone hits the open road, GEICO encourages drivers to use this checklist to help stay safe during their travels:

• Check your tires: Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Recommended tire pressures are listed on the sidewall of the tire as well as the driver doorjamb of the vehicle. Also, inspect the tread on your tires to make sure it isn’t worn. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests flipping a penny over and placing it in the tread as a test. If you’re able to see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head on the penny, then your tire is getting bald and should be replaced.

• Inspect windshield wipers and washer fluid: After you confirm your washer fluid tank is full, spray your windshield and make sure the wipers clear properly. Wiper blades that are cracked or dried out will smear water rather than clear it.

• Look for open vehicle recalls: A recall could potentially pop up for any vehicle make or model. To find out if your car is affected, visit NHTSA’s site https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls and follow the instructions on how to locate and enter your vehicle’s identification number.

• Wash your car: Sensors for safety equipment such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and backup cameras function best when they’re clear from grime that may build up.

• Assign seats for passengers: This practice can help minimize distractions for the driver. Also, consider giving your passengers different responsibilities while you’re traveling so you can focus on driving.

• Set GPS destinations and playlists beforehand: Navigation apps can help a great deal with finding a destination; however, trying to set them while driving causes a major distraction. Take care of all your smartphone needs, such as destinations and music playlists, before you shift out of park.

For more safe driving tips, visit GEICO's Safe Driving Quiz.