Spring break travel: Know before you go

Every month in Life, Cindy Antrican, public affairs manager for AAA Allied Group, Inc., provides traffic safety tips and information for motorists. Email: CAntrican@aaa-alliedgroup.com.

A little planning goes a long way in ensuring your spring break travel adventure is memorable — for the right reasons. AAA experts offer the following tips to alleviate worry and disappointment:

Is your vehicle road-ready?

• Routine preventative maintenance is critical to keep your vehicle running well and helping avoid breakdowns, which would certainly not be welcome during a much anticipated spring break vacation. AAA recommends having your vehicle inspected before setting off on a long trip.

• AAA Tire & Auto Service in Beavercreek will provide free bumper-to-bumper vehicle inspections and AAA membership is not required, but an appointment is — for an appointment call (937) 426-8209.

Get travel-ready

Sometimes it’s the little things, like knowing you packed the right clothes and pulling out of the driveway feeling confident that nothing important has been forgotten that can really push your vacation experience to the next level. Stop by any Miami Valley area AAA office to pick-up a free copy of the Travel Checklist that will ensure you have everything in your suitcase for your next big adventure, plus get tips to make sure you’ve taken care of everything at home before you leave.

Travel safety tips

• AAA advises that travelers always be diligent about their personal security and surroundings. It is all too easy to adopt the “care-free vacation mindset” and forget about personal safety.

• Stay with your group. There is safety in numbers, and you can keep an eye on each other.

• When you check in write down the name, address and phone number for the hotel or resort you are staying at and carry it with you. Also let someone back home know where you are staying and check in with them daily at a pre-arranged time.

• Do not drink and drive. Select a designated driver or arrange a safe ride home. Your hotel can generally help arrange a car service or cab.

• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcoholic drinks impairs your judgment and reaction time, making you more susceptible to accidents and crime.

• Always carry identification. If driving, have proof of car insurance, plus don’t forget your medical insurance card and AAA Membership card.

Savings tips

• AAA encourages spring break travelers to download the free AAA Mobile App to find the gas stations with the lowest prices along your travel route. The app also provides information on restaurants, including pricing and menu selections, as well as hotel prices and amenities, plus turn-by-turn navigation.

• Stop by any local AAA office and pick up a free copy of Know Before You Go. Traffic laws can vary greatly from state to state. Know Before You Go highlights laws for cell phone use, child passenger restraints and seat belt use for area states that travelers may pass through

• Don’t forget to use your AAA membership to save money on hotel stays and car rentals. Plus, save on admission to family fun shopping and entertainment destinations. Check out AAA Discounts & Rewards and learn how you can save money during Spring Break.

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