The Fourth of July is one of the most exciting American holidays, with many people opting to travel to different locations to celebrate. This means that far more people are on the road than normal, and, unfortunately, it is also one of the more dangerous times to travel.

Drivers making hazardous decisions can pose a severe risk to others on the road, which is why it’s important to learn everything you can do yourself to reduce risk.

Pre-Trip Vehicle Check-Up

The first step in keeping yourself safe on the road starts before you even depart from your garage. All drivers should have a pre-trip vehicle check-up that encompasses a checklist of crucial items to tackle before hitting the road. One of the most important items to check first is the status of your tire pressure. Visually inspect each tire to see if they are low on air and, if unsure, take a reading to determine their level. Once you have completed this, continue to inspect your tires to be sure the treads are adequate.

Follow up on your tire inspection by checking to make sure all fluids are topped off under the hood. This should include checking the oil, coolant, windshield wiper fluid, and a variety of other fluids crucial to your vehicle’s functions. Finally, the last major pre-trip vehicle check-up task we recommend is double-checking your car battery level. This can be done with a battery tester, or certain vehicles can tell you the battery level from inside the dash.

5 Safe Driving Tips for Fourth of July Weekend

1. Pack an Emergency Kit

The next best tip for staying safe this Fourth of July is to have an emergency kit ready to go in your vehicle. This should be packed ahead of time and stored in your trunk in the event of an emergency. Everyday items to include in this kit are as follows:

• A first aid kit in case you have suffered any injuries
• A flashlight in the event it becomes dark while stranded
• A spare tire in case any on your vehicle break down
• Jumper cables in the event of a dead battery
• Basic tools, including screwdrivers, wrenches, Allen wrenches, and more

Each of these items can help keep you prepared to handle any event. Whether your battery dies and needs to be jumped with the cables or you need to stumble back to a town in the dark via a flashlight, these items must not be overlooked.

2. Stay Safe During a Breakdown

In some cases, it may be impossible to avoid trouble on the road, even with safe driving. Breakdowns can occur at any point, and knowing how to respond can prevent you from causing an accident unintentionally. Below are the steps you should follow if you determine something is amiss with your vehicle:

• Immediately put your hazards on and attempt to merge over safely to the side of the road
• Stay inside your car until it is absolutely safe to exit
• Contact the authorities to report any parts in the road should they have fallen off
• Contact a tow truck company or use your extended warranty benefits to contact roadside assistance

3. Utilize Roadside Assistance Services

Building off of the final tip above for staying safe during a breakdown, it’s also essential to develop an understanding of how roadside services can help. Many roadside assistance companies partner directly with extended warranty providers to offer their services to subscribers, which is a significant benefit of adding such a contract to your vehicle.

The benefits provided by roadside assistance include standard services such as towing and battery jumps, as well as lesser-known services such as flat tire changes. Whether it’s a major company such as AAA or a lesser-known roadside assistance service recommended by your extended warranty, take advantage of the benefits.

4. Communicating Effectively

One primary reason for the high prevalence of car crashes on Independence Day is drunk driving. Combining an impaired driver with the shock following a crash, it may be hard to communicate effectively if an accident wrongly occurs. By understanding how to communicate your location and primary issue, you can expedite emergency services.

If possible, include GPS coordinates when speaking with roadside assistance providers so that they can reach you quickly. Additionally, be sure to inform them of what happened and do not hold back the truth, even if there was a violation of law. The most important thing is to ensure everybody is safe and treated accordingly following a crash.

5. Plan for Heavy Traffic

Some roadtrippers become stranded on the side of the road during the Fourth of July holiday because Independence Day weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year. The increased number of drivers on the road means that increased traffic is also something to contend with.

Many drivers need to realize just how much traffic there will be and fill up their vehicles with gas adequately. This leads to them being stranded later on the highway when their vehicle inadvertently runs out of fuel. Avoid making this mistake by plotting your route ahead of time and viewing how much traffic appears to be present. Avoid traveling during peak traffic hours so that you can ensure there will at least be less traffic around.

Extended Warranties: Your Highway Safety Net

Sometimes, there’s absolutely no way to avoid sudden stops or issues on the road, but adding an extended warranty contract to your vehicle can be a great safety net. When added to a motor vehicle, an extended warranty can keep you safe during a road trip by offering financial coverage for repairs covered under the package.

Vehicle crashes aren’t covered under an extended warranty, but we can help you fast if a mechanical breakdown occurs. Insurance handles a car accident, whereas extended warranties offer coverage for different unexpected issues.

Many extended warranties or auto protection plans from third-party providers, such as Endurance, also come with bonus perks such as roadside assistance and sometimes even reimbursements for vehicle maintenance. Remember, though, that protection for your vehicle should always be something you hope you never use. Take precautions, buckle up your seat belt, assign a designated driver, and avoid distracted driving this holiday weekend.

Ensure Your Vehicle Is Protected With Endurance

No driver wants to find themselves in a position where they are faced with the mechanical breakdown of their vehicle, though this is, unfortunately, a common occurrence. The last thing you need is to be stranded in an unfamiliar area and strapped for cash, unable to pay out-of-pocket to repair your vehicle. That’s why partnering with Endurance Warranty for your needs can save you both time and money.

At Endurance, we offer customizable auto protection plans to suit your ever-changing needs, including standard perks like 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. Whether you own an older vehicle that requires only high-level stated protection via our Secure Plus plan or purchased a new car that you would prefer near total coverage with our Supreme plan, there’s something for you. Endurance offers coverage of all levels so that you don’t need to worry the next time something goes wrong under the hood.

To learn more about Endurance vehicle service contracts and see how we can help you, call our award-winning customer service team at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote. Alternatively, feel free to shop online to see your price right away.