5 Tips For Driving Safely On an Out of State Roadtrip

Ladyblogger
June 24, 2013

Going on an out-of-state road trip can be exciting, but it can also turn dangerous very quickly if you are not paying close attention to your surroundings. Therefore, it is a good idea to remember that driving in new areas requires knowledge of local laws and proper planning. Fortunately, you can have the perfect road trip as long as you remember to keep a few important tips in mind.

Five Tips to Keep You Safe During an Out-of-State Road Trip

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Local Laws – Every state has different laws that can impact everything from U-turns to whether or not you can turn right during a red light. Additionally, there are several different road building techniques, and it is possible that you will encounter something that you have never dealt with before. For example, tourists who drive in Orlando might be surprised by the lack of roundabouts, and this will require you to pay close attention to the areas where it is legal to turn. As any Orlando traffic lawyer can tell you, this could definitely heighten the danger of driving during your trip.

2. Have a Backup Map – Most motorists utilize a GPS to help them get from point A to point B. However, there is always the possibility that your GPS unit could stop working properly during the middle of a road trip. To avoid dealing with a lot of confusion, you should always have a backup method with you. Your options include a traditional map, printed directions from an online map website or a smartphone that includes GPS technology.

3. Keep a Close Eye on the Speed Limit – Fortunately, many GPS units include the local speed limit, and this can help you keep your speed in line. Unfortunately, the speed limit that is listed on your GPS may not be accurate, so it is still imperative to check the posted signs. If you are in doubt, you can follow the speed of traffic until you are able to verify the speed limit.

4. Check the Weather Forecast – Drivers who are not used to dealing with harsh weather conditions might have a difficult time adjusting when it becomes necessary. For example, if you live in Orlando but you are driving to Detroit during the winter, it will be essential to know whether or not you are going to encounter snow or ice. After all, if you have never driven in those conditions before, it will be important for you to be able to decide whether to pull over until the storm passes or keep driving.

5. Keep Your Eyes on the Road – It is natural to want to look at your new surroundings, but this can easily lead to an accident. Therefore, you should plan frequent stops that will let you enjoy the areas that you are traveling through. Alternatively, you could take turns driving so that everyone has an opportunity to look around without worrying about paying attention to the road.

As long as you use common sense and look up local traffic laws that will impact your trip, you should be able to drive anywhere in the country without running into any serious issues. However, if you do end up getting a traffic citation for a violation or an accident, it is a good idea to contact a local traffic ticket lawyer so that you can more effectively contest your citation.

Author Anthony Joseph enjoys discussing traffic laws and driver safety practices. An Orlando traffic lawyer from the Tix Team, know the ins and outs of traffic laws, and has the upper hand when it comes to disputing a clients ticket. Red light tickets are a fairly new form of technology, that actually send you a ticket violation in the mail. Once you receive the mailed violation, it’s best to speak with a legal professional about what steps should be taken next.