collaborative post | Driving can be a relaxing, therapeutic experience. Many people jump in their cars and simply take off with no particular destination in mind just to get away from the stress of everyday life. Of course, it’s even more of an adventure when you veer off the well-travelled roads into more remote places. There, peace, quiet, and the beauty of nature can make you feel like you’re in an entirely different world.
Photo by Cristofer Maximilian on Unsplash
Keeping Safety at the Forefront
Having said that, venturing off the beaten path also comes with a few risks. Whether you’re exploring backwoods dirt roads or speeding along seemingly endless stretches of desert highway, keeping safety at the forefront is essential. Keep the following tips in mind if you’re likely to find yourself in a remote location to help ensure you make it back home safely.
1) Get a Cell Phone Booster
Mobile phones have saved countless lives. They place the ability to call for help right at people’s fingertips, and they’re almost always on hand when emergencies arise. Unfortunately, remote areas are notorious for sparse phone service, making calling for help a bit of a challenge. With a Vehicle cell phone booster, you won’t have to worry so much about losing your connection to the rest of the world when you need it most.
2) Don’t Go Alone
For many people, driving alone with the radio blaring is the best way to escape the real world and unwind. If you’re heading out to the middle of nowhere, though, it’s not the best idea. Don’t take a trip like this alone.
Having a partner along for the ride can help keep you grounded if things take a turn for the worse. If your car breaks down, an extra person can help with vehicle repairs you may not be able to handle on your own. If you don’t know what to do next, you can collaborate with your second in command to create a plan. There’s safety in numbers, and two heads are typically better than one.
3) Bring the Essentials
It’s always a good idea to be equipped with certain basic essentials. That’s the case whether you’re going on a road trip or simply running errands around town. Some resources to keep on hand are bottled water, high-protein snacks, a first-aid kit, blankets, and tools.
Consider keeping a portable jump starter or power station in your vehicle as well. These devices have internal power sources and jumper cables so you can give your battery a jump even if no other vehicles are around. Some of the more well-equipped models also come with charging ports, built-in lights, air compressors for inflating tires, and other features that prove helpful in emergencies.
4) Tell Someone Where You’re Going
Never take off on a trip without telling someone where you’re going even if you don’t plan to venture very far. If you’re not quite sure where you’ll end up, at least give someone a general idea of where you’ll be and how long you might be gone. That’ll provide a good starting point for authorities to start looking if you don’t come back when expected. Ideally, you should plan ahead for outings and devise a specific route, but for impromptu trips with no clear destination, it’s still best to give someone a few basic details before departing.
5) Stay Close to Your Vehicle
Getting out of your vehicle and exploring the local landscape is a tempting prospect. It could be a detrimental decision, though. You could encounter any number of hazards by venturing too far. Those include wild animals, falls, and injuries to name a few. On top of that, you could lose your direction and end up wandering aimlessly.
You may need to get out of the vehicle to change a flat tire or perform repairs to get back underway, but if you do, stay as close as possible. In harsh conditions, like the desert or sub-freezing temperatures, consider that vehicle your home until help arrives or the situation improves. It’s larger and more visible than you are, so rescuers are likely to spot it first. If you’re not inside when they do, it’ll be that much longer before you’re found and brought to safety.
6) Stay in Place
Another way to keep yourself safe in a remote location is to stay where you are once you realize there’s a problem. Many people choose to keep driving; after all, you’re bound to run into civilization at some point, right? Sadly, many people have found that strategy to be unsuccessful.
Depending on how far away you are from the nearest town, running out of gas before reaching civilization could be a very real possibility. That’s only one problem that could arise along the way. It’s best to stop driving and stay in place until help arrives. An exception to the rule would be if your GPS can guide you to safety before you run out of gas.
7) Make Yourself Visible
Making yourself as visible as possible is advised as well. Use the hazard lights on your vehicle or place reflective markers around it. Consider keeping a mylar blanket in your vehicle for emergencies. They can help hold in body heat and keep out the elements if need be. They’re also reflective, so they can be used to signal passersby and draw attention to yourself. Having a flashlight on hand is recommended too. They’re essential equipment after dark, and you can wave them or flash them to alert others of your location.
8) Stay Calm
Staying calm is likewise essential. As humans, panicking in emergency situations is in our nature, but that’s the worst thing you could do. It’ll ultimately cloud your judgment and potentially lead you to make bad choices, like running away from your vehicle and hiding. Panicking keeps people from thinking clearly and rationally enough to help themselves out of bad situations.
9) Never Assume Nothing Will Go Wrong
Finally, one of the most effective ways to keep yourself safe when driving in remote areas is to know the risks. Never assume nothing will go wrong. No matter how well may know an area, how dependable your vehicle is, or how many times you’ve driven along a particular route, things could take a turn at any moment. A false sense of security can be exceedingly dangerous. Be mindful of various possibilities, and be aware of how to handle them if they become a reality.
Being Ready for Emergencies
Taking a long drive to a remote location is a wonderful way to escape the real world and enjoy a little personal time. If something goes wrong, though, a relaxing outing could quickly turn into a dangerous situation. Keep the tips listed here in mind, and always be prepared for what might lie ahead.
Great tips! I always text my mother whenever I leave/arrive someplace, even if just to work! Accidents happens so quickly 😅 Additionally, both my parents have access to see my phone’s location, as an extra layer IF anything was to happen.
Mother like to keep a hat & gloves also in the winter- and as I bought a new blanket im keeping the old one in the car too! Never know when you might run down and need them. (Also good for long drives, I get cold)