As fall semester starts up again, it’s time to pack up your car and hit the road. Perhaps you’re heading back to your old dorm room, or you may head to college for the first time!

Freshman or Senior, everyone needs to know basic how-to’s of road trip safety. Before you hit the books for class, be sure to get a primer on driving safety procedures. The checklist below are things to keep in mind as you prepare to head to campus.

Safe travels, students! We wish everyone a safe trip back to college and a successful fall semester!

PLAN

• Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel
• Check traffic conditions for the day and time you’ll be traveling
• Check weather conditions for the day and time of travel
• Know your route ahead of time
• Know what you need to do in case of a minor accident
• Know which are the safest, well-lit rest stops
• Download an app to find/plan best fuel stops (i.e., FuelMyRoute)

PREP

• Fill out Emergency Contact Information to allow police to contact designated contacts in case of an emergency
• Pack flashlight, reflective safety triangles along with jack and tools
• Check vehicle for maintenance needs
• Write down important phone numbers
• Place jumper/booster cables in your trunk
• No safety procedures for changing a flat tire
• Bring an extra charger for phone
• Keep a physical map handy (in case your GPS isn't working)
• Have proof of insurance, car registration/rental documents
• Don’t forget your driver’s license (but you should know this already!)

EXECUTE

• Buckle up
• Put your phone in driving mode
• Resist the urge to check text messages—there’s not texting and driving allowed in Florida
• Stay sober and alert—never drive impaired
• Report aggressive or impaired drivers to Florida Highway Patrol: dial *FHP (*347)
• Don’t pass Florida speed limits of 70 mph
• Remember, speed limits change according to roads
• Stick to your planned route
• Use apps to find/plan best fuel stops
• Minimize distractions such as eating, reaching, dialing

Extra credit: check out Rubenstein’s Road Trip Rules to know what to do in the case of an emergency.

DISCLAIMER: the content above is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as legal advice nor replace legal counsel in the case of an incident. Readers should not act upon blog information, or decide not to act based upon this information, without first seeking appropriate professional counsel from an attorney licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction. If you are in need of legal assistance for a verhicle crash, please contact Rubenstein Law at 1-800-FL-LEGAL.