5 Ways To Help Your Teen Stay Safe On A Road Trip

Your teen is about to take their first road trip, and you are slightly terrified. Whether they are driving across the state to get back to college after the holiday break or going on an epic cross-country adventure, you are probably worried about their safety. Luckily, there are things you can do to help make their road trip much safer. Here are a few ideas:

Have Them Get a Tune-up

Before your teen hits the road, you should make sure their car has been looked over by a mechanic recently and is in good working order. You may want to pay for this for them, just to make sure it happens.

Get Them a Back-up Cell Phone

A cheap, pay-as-you-go cell phone is a great thing to have along on a road trip. If their own cell phone never loses its battery or dies for other reasons, you won't be out very much money. But if they do have cell phone problems, having a charged, basic back-up cell phone in case of emergency can greatly increase their safety.

Sign Them Up for Roadside Assistance

Paying for your teen to have roadside assistance will give you both great peace of mind. If they get locked out of their car, get a flat tire, or otherwise run into car difficulty, they'll be able to get help quickly with just a simple phone call. Ideally, neither you nor your teen will ever go without roadside assistance. 

If you don't sign up for roadside assistance, make sure your teen has the contact information for a towing service like Ski Country Shell & Towing in the areas they'll be driving in.

Agree to Have Frequent Check-ins

Talk to your teen and come to an agreement about how often they will check in with you. A good idea is to have them call or send a quick text every time they stop for gas or a meal. That way they can let you know they're okay and tell you where they are, so you can follow their progress and know they are safe.

Give Them a Road Trip Essentials Kit

Before your teen sets out on their voyage, make sure their car is equipped with all the essentials. They should have snacks and bottles of water, a paper map in case their phone signal dies and they can't access GPS, as well as a first aid kit. Blankets, a flashlight, and emergency flares are also important.

By helping your teen stay safe on the road, you will both be able to relax and avoid unnecessary worrying.

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