Source: NTSHA - There are many great things about summer but few can match the fun of a family vacation road trip. Families, friends, colleagues—we all start talking about where to go this summer. Families make plans to spend time together – that trip to the shore, the cabin in the mountains, camping at the lake. Friends start lining up their days off to take that long-talked about fishing trip or head to that rented beach house.

Whatever getaway you plan, before you hook up that new boat or camper, or before you put your family or friends into your car, SUV, pickup, or RV, take the time to review some summer road travel safety tips. Prevention and planning are much easier than dealing with the consequences of a breakdown, or worse yet, a highway crash.

Before You Go

Regular maintenance such as tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, and tire rotations go a long way toward preventing breakdowns before they happen. If your vehicle has been serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations, it should be in good shape and ready to travel. If not — or you don't know the service history of the vehicle you plan to drive — schedule a preventive maintenance check-up with your mechanic now.

Providing your vehicle is well maintained, getting it ready for a road trip is relatively quick and easy. However, it's important to perform the following basic safety checks before you go:

Vehicle Safety Checklist

Tires — Air pressure, tread wear, spareThe best way to avoid a flat tire, or an even more frightening experience, a blowout, is to check your vehicle's tire pressure at least once a month—and don't forget to check your spare. A tire doesn't have to be punctured to lose air. All tires naturally lose some air over time. In fact, under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure.

If your vehicle is a truck, van, or SUV, monitoring your tire pressure is critical to your safety. These vehicles have higher centers of gravity and are more prone to rollover than cars when their tires fail. If your vehicle and/or its tires are older, you need to exercise special care with regard to tire inflation and tire condition (including worn out treads or obvious damage), particularly in warm weather.

When towing a trailer, it is important to know that some of the weight of the loaded trailer is transferred to the towing vehicle. If you are towing, make sure you inflate your tires to the recommended pressure. You can check the tire information placard or your owner's manual for the maximum recommended load for the vehicle, and the correct tire pressure.

Check the air pressure in all your tires, including the spare. To get an accurate reading, check pressure when tires are cold, meaning they haven't been driven on for at least three hours. It's a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge on hand in your vehicle for this purpose. You can find the correct pressure for your tires listed on a label inside the driver's doorframe or in the vehicle owner's manual — the correct pressure is NOT the number listed on the tire itself.

Also, take five minutes to inspect your tires for signs of excessive or irregular wear. If the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, it's time to replace your tires. Use the Lincoln's head penny test, or look for the built-in wear bar indicators to determine when it's time to replace your tires. Place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you are ready for new tires. If you find irregular tread wear patterns, it means your tires need rotation and/or your wheels need to be realigned before you leave. For more information on tire safety and pressure, visit the ―Tires‖ section of www.SaferCar.gov, a vehicle safety resource of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Belts and Hoses— Condition and fittings

Look under the hood and inspect all belts and hoses to make sure they are in good shape with no signs of blisters, cracks, or cuts in the rubber. High summer temperatures accelerate the rate at which rubber belts and hoses degrade, so it's best to replace them now if they show signs of obvious wear. While you're at it, check all hose connections to make sure they're secure.

Wiper Blades — Wear and tear on both sides

After the heavy toll imposed by winter storms and spring rains, windshield wipers are likely to be ragged from use and ready to be replaced. Like rubber belts and hoses, wiper blades are susceptible to the summer heat. Examine your blades for signs of wear and tear. If they aren't in tip-top condition, invest in new ones before you go.

Cooling System — Coolant levels and servicing

Carefully check your coolant level to make sure it's adequate. In addition, if it's time to have your cooling system flushed and refilled (or even nearly time), have it done now. On a long road trip in summer heat, you'll want your cooling system functioning at peak performance to avoid the possibility of your engine overheating.

Fluid levels - Check your levels of oil and coolant on a regular basis. Transmission fluid should also be checked on occasion. Regular oil changes will allow for better gas mileage and smoother running motor.

Lights - Check all lights to make sure no bulbs need replaced. This includes headlights, turn signal lights, brake lights, emergency flasher lights, and trailer lights.

Air Conditioning - If weather will be hot make sure your air is working properly. If not blowing cool air it can make for a miserable drive across state when temps are high.

Have an emergency roadside kit in your car or trunk. You never know when you may need it and could make a difference. It should include a first-aid kit, flashlight, flares and a white flag, jumper cables, nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines.

Now you are ready for your road trip. Once you start driving make sure all passengers are properly buckled, don't drink and drive, don't test and drive, and use a hand free device when speaking on your phone.  Have fun and a great trip in our fabulous Pacific Northwest