Critical Days of Summer week 3: On the road again

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brandon Sutliff
  • 341 Missile Wing Ground Safety
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  For many folks my age, the movie National Lampoon's Vacation is a hilarious classic and we know the details inside and out. For many younger folks, however, here's a quick synopsis: Clark Griswold leads his family on a road trip across the country with designs of visiting an amusement park. From the beginning, things go awry and for most part, only get worse as the movie plays on. For many of us, a vacation on the road is a chance to get away from the grind, spend time with family or take on a new adventure. Planning for this trip will go a long way in ensuring it does not end up similar to the Griswold family's peril.

Before you leave, make sure that all things are in good order, including itineraries, belongings and vehicles. Know your destination and how you plan to get there. This includes planning breaks to avoid fatigue and hotel stays to get a proper night's rest. This will often save you money versus the last minute pull-off. Check the weather and road conditions ahead of time to avoid any surprises and possible delays. Be sure to take clothing and supplies that match your planned activities. It can be difficult getting from point A to point B if your vehicle is not ready and the long Montana winter may have worn out critical parts of your car. Check to see if tires need to be rotated or replaced and ensure tire pressures match the recommendations of the car manufacturer. If necessary, have the oil, air filter and wiper blades changed.

Once on the road, keep this in the back of your head - in the past five summers, the Air Force has lost 70 members due to automobile accidents. There have also been 210 "lost time" cases, in which a total of 2,020 days of work were lost. Also, nationwide, motor vehicle incidents are the leading cause of death in otherwise healthy adults. How can you reduce the risk? First, reduce your speed; this is the number one killer on the road. Second, make sure that seatbelts are buckled. Next, keep distractions to a minimum, including cell phones, complicated vehicle information, entertainment systems and even family members. Remember, your primary focus should be the road; your front seat passenger should be your "co-pilot," making any in-cabin adjustments and be an extra set of eyes on the road. Finally, pull over to rest before you begin to feel tired. If you feel tired, you are already fatigued and the likelihood of falling asleep behind the wheel is greater.

Communication is key when taking a trip. Before setting off, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to get there. With today's convenience of technology, this can be done in a snap. As discussed earlier though, do not let the cell phone, computer or tablet become a distraction while driving. When stopped (really - be sure that you are stopped or out of the car), call, send a text or update your favorite social networking site. That way, if something were to happen, friends and family will know of your last whereabouts.

Finally, ridding yourself of bad driving habits goes a long way in keeping you safe on the road. Many people will freely admit that they are aggressive drivers. This often ties directly into speed, which we discussed earlier as the number one killer on the road. Curb habits such as tailgating, lack of turn signal use or "brake-checking" other potential offenders. This usually leads to accidents, which creates additional traffic woes and impedes every driver's ability to get down the road. If your role is a passenger, let the driver know if they display bad habits; when they drive, your life, and often your family's life, is in their hands.

Now that you have the tools of knowledge, plan that vacation, pack your bags and get on that "Holiday Road." Just be sure that you do not leave Dinky tied to the bumper, and that Wally World isn't closed for repairs.