If you are heading out on a road trip in South Dakota, now is a great time to talk about some tips to help you stay safe. The summer is a great time of year to travel, but it can be extremely hot in South Dakota and you need to be prepared.
Your vehicle has to be prepped to handle the heat. You also need to be prepared to drive in hot, sunny conditions and, if they pop up, storms. To help, here are some safety tips you can keep in mind.
Check your fluids
Before heading out on the road, check your vehicle’s fluids. Make sure it has enough water, transmission fluid, brake fluid and others that keep your vehicle running smoothly. Then, before you drive, fuel up. You don’t want to run out of fuel on a hot day, especially if you’re not close to a gas station or others who can help.
Bring along lots of water
You need water in case your vehicle overheats. You also need it to stay hydrated while you drive. People often underestimate the sun, but you can get sunburned or become dehydrated while driving, too.
Be ready for pop-up storms
South Dakota is known for severe storms here and there, so you need to be ready if one crops up while you’re driving. While South Dakota doesn’t see severe weather as often as some of the southern states, it is possible that hail, high winds or tornadoes could be present. In fact, South Dakota is included in Tornado Alley, so it’s possible that one could occur during a summer storm.
If you are caught in a storm, it’s a good idea to put on your hazard lights and to pull over. If you can’t, look for a restaurant or off-ramp, so you can get off a busy roadway.
These are a few things you can do to stay safer on a summer road trip in South Dakota. If someone hits you and causes an auto accident, keep in mind that you do have the option of looking into making a legal claim against them.