Whether you’re traveling solo or living a nomadic lifestyle, there are ways to protect yourself and your possessions during your next road trip.
Safety is not a guarantee anywhere, no matter what type of dwelling you live in. Let’s be honest, it’s a scary world out there right now and we all have to be on alert. Every state in America is dealing with some sort of crisis. A lot of people are struggling and acting out in desperation, while others are just plain mean and feel entitled. Whatever the reason for the shift, we don’t have to live in fear.
Here are some steps you can take to stay safe during your next road trip:
Before the Trip
Prepare
It’s important to prepare your vehicle and your body for the trip. Check your vehicle’s fluids, tires, and lights. Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and keep your body nourished. Not only will you enjoy the adventure if you’re feeling good, you think better, and are quicker on your feet if an emergency occurs.
Pack
When packing for your outdoor adventure, don’t forget to put a few things in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Make sure you have a roadside emergency kit, pair of jumper cables, extra engine fluids, tools, a first-aid kit, snacks, and water.
Research
Most of us go to nature to unplug, but before you do, be sure to research your route and stops using multiple sources. Check out the road conditions, the reviews, and download any information you need including offline maps. It’s also a good idea to keep a current road atlas in your vehicle.
Communicate
Sometimes we just get the urge to go out and have fun in nature. Before you lose cell signal, please make sure someone knows where you are and when you’re expected to return. Accidents can happen, and if someone knows where you are, then help can arrive sooner.
During the Trip
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
This is one of the most important steps you can take in protecting yourself. Where are you? What do you see? Does this area look like a safe place to get gas or use the restroom? Enjoy the scenery, but stay present and be mindful of the thoughts and feelings that come up during this trip.
Trust Your Intuition
The most powerful safety tool you have is you. According to The Britannica Dictionary, “Intuition is a natural ability or power that makes it possible to know something without any proof or evidence: a feeling that guides a person to act a certain way without fully understanding why.” Trust your gut!
Follow the Traffic Laws
There are accidents everyday on our roadways, don’t be a statistic. Go the speed limit, use your blinker, stay alert, keep a safe distance, use the right lane unless you’re passing, and give the truckers their space. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has additional resources on their website.
Watch Your Fuel Level
When taking a road trip, you should always have at least a half tank of gas at all times. There are times you’ll need to take a detour or get stuck in traffic due to an accident. You may need to let the vehicle idle for a bit to run the heater, turn on the a/c, or charge your phone.
Arrive Before Dark
If you’re staying in a campground, state park, or boondocking for the night, arrive before dark. This allows you time to check out the area and make a decision on whether or not you feel safe there. If you don’t, you’ll have daylight hours left to find a safer location. If you’re staying in a parking lot or at a rest area, arrive right at dark. These are for quick rest stops only.
Park Your Vehicle
Always park your vehicle so you can easily get out in an emergency. If you’re staying in a parking lot, be sure to park under a light. Invest in some black out window covers so you can still have privacy while having the outside of your vehicle well lit.
Scope Out the Area
After you’ve arrived at your destination, take a walk around. What do you see, hear, and smell? Is the area clean or trashed? Do you hear birds or people fighting? Does the air smell fresh or unpleasant? Remember to follow your gut when deciding whether or not you feel safe enough to stay for the night.
Put the Keys Away
Once you’ve decided to park for the night, put the keys away in the same location every time. If there’s an emergency, the last thing you want to do is look for the keys. While alcohol can sometimes help us relax, be mindful of your drinking. You should never be too intoxicated to drive yourself to safety.
Keep the Driver’s Seat Clean
When spending a night in a small space like a vehicle, you’ll look for anywhere to put the things you don’t need for the night. Do not put anything in your driver seat or floorboard. Again, if there’s an emergency, you need to be able to hop in that seat and go.
Delay Social Media Posts
It can be fun to share your adventures with your friends and family online. Plus you inspire others to get out and have fun in nature. However, you should delay that post until you’ve left the area. You may trust your friends and have strict social media privacy settings set, still, please wait.
Keep Valuables Hidden
Don’t leave your valuables laying out in your vehicle so people can see them. Hide your stuff, in weird, random spots. Invest in a fireproof safe and put that in an odd location. Be mindful of what you’re carrying in your hands outside as well.
Secure Your Vehicle
There are all kinds of devices on the market to help you secure your vehicle. The first thing to remember is to lock your doors and windows. Then, consider putting up some sensor motion lights if you’re boondocking, investing in an alarm system, and look into getting security cameras.
Self-Defense
Even though you’ve done everything you can to stay vigilant and safe, you still may have to defend yourself. How you choose to do that is a personal preference and every state has different laws regarding self-defense. There are classes you can take and many everyday items can be used as a weapon.
The two of us have been living full-time in our motorhome with our cat Sailor for two years now. We’ve made a few cross-country trips within the last twelve years and we’ll make several more.
Below are a few rules we personally follow in order to stay safe on the road:
Stop for fuel thirty miles before a big city
Avoid big cities as much as possible
Don’t attract attention to ourselves
Mind our own business and blend in
There’s no reason we can’t get out, take a road trip, or hike in the forest if that’s what we want to do. We just have to be prepared, aware, and trust our intuition. While most travelers and adventurers are kind and just out enjoying nature’s beauty like us, there are a few bad apples out there. Stay present, mindful, and trust your senses. If it doesn’t feel right, leave.
Go out, have fun, and be safe!