Archive for the ‘Driving Tips’ Category
Safety Tips For The 4th Of July Weekend
Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love the patriotism and the time for family and friends to come together to celebrate our freedom in a world where freedom is hard to come by in many countries these days. I love the idea of neighborhoods coming together to hang out and get to know one another, because after all, it’s middle-class America that makes this country so great. Many of you will also be traveling this weekend, so here are some tips to stay safe over the weekend whether you’re having a party or traveling.
Road Travelers
- Drive on off-peak times. Try to avoid leaving for your destination Friday after work and Sunday night. Those will be the times when people are driving the most for the 4th of July weekend, and it’s the time that you’ll be most likely to get in an accident.
- Avoid speeding! Cops love to pull people over on the holidays for speeding. Make sure you’re obeying the speed limit and keep watch for changes in speed on highways and country roads.
- Be smart when drinking alcohol. It’s obvious that you should NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE. If you find yourself without a designated driver, wait at least 1 hour for every drink you’ve had before getting behind the wheel. Also, eat a heavy meal and hydrate yourself, because that will absorb the alcohol in your system quicker.
Lighting Off Fireworks
I love fireworks, but they can be SO dangerous. Make sure you supervise your children if they are lighting off fireworks, ESPECIALLY if they’re teenagers. Teenagers love to do ridiculous things, and they might push the limits with how they handle fireworks. Make sure you keep a hose or a large bucket of water near you just in case something catches on fire. Also, make sure you always stand at least 50 feet away from lit fireworks.
Grilling Out
Getting behind the grill on the 4th of July is an American tradition. Take the standard precautions when using your grill. Never grill underneath trees or bushes. Always grill outdoors in a well ventilated area without anything surrounding you. Remember to turn off the propane tank when you’re done using the grill!
Boating
Taking the boat out is another fun tradition by many people on 4th of July. However, many people don’t act wisely when they’re out boating on the holidays. Make sure you’re always strapped in or holding onto something when the boat is moving. Also, the SAME RULES apply with drinking and driving in the car as they do on BOATS! You can get in just as much trouble for operating a boat while drinking as you would if driving a car. Make sure you have an emergency plan and a way to communicate with the coast guard and police if you were to capsize or get stranded out in an uninhabited area.
Unfortunately, there is always a sad story in the news after the 4th of July weekend, but follow these steps and your holidays will be safe and A LOT of fun!
Tags: 4th of July, discount rental cars, fireworks, safety tips
Your Guide To The Best Summer Road Trip Ever
There’s nothing better than doing a summer road trip and exploring everything that the great country of the United States has to offer. Ever since cars have become more reliable and stable to travel long distances, road trips have been a great American tradition. At E-Z Rent-A-Car, we know that many of you still love to travel by car and take road trips, but you might not have a car that you trust on the open road. You should consider renting one of our discount rental cars for your trip. If you want to have the best road trip possible, then follow these tips below:
Maintenance
- Check your tire pressure – This will help keep you safe and prevent your tires from blowing out while on the road, and it helps with fuel efficiency.
- Check your fluids – Now is a good time to check your fluids and top off any that are low such as windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steerin, and coolant.
- Have your brakes checked – Your brakes are obviously essential to your safety, so have them looked at by a mechanic before leaving for the road trip.
- Oil Change and Tire Rotation – It’d be a good idea to have this done even if it has a few miles before it needs to be done.
Saving Money
- Pack snacks, sandwiches, and drinks with you – You won’t need to stop as much, you’ll probably eat healthier, and you’ll save money!
- Use GasBuddy.com – Before you leave, map out your route and check which areas have the cheapest gas using Gas Buddy.
- Bring a GPS or phone with GPS with you – you’ll save time and money if you’re able to create your own detour when you run into road construction or an accident.
Having Fun
- Bring games with you – Being on the road can get tedious, so make sure you’ve got plenty of stuff to do IN the car.
- Burn some mix CD’s or create custom iTunes playlists – I like having fun with these like creating a list of old-school songs from your childhood or good dance music.
- Make some unexpected stops along the way – Being spontaneous during your road trip can be one of the most fun and memorable parts of your road trip.
Got any other suggestions to have the best road trip ever? Let us know! Be safe on the road this summer!
Tags: best summer road trip, discount car rental, road trip, road trip maintenance, save money road trip