How To Stay Safe on the Road During the Pandemic

Posted in Car accidents,General Law Firm,Personal Injury on August 31, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has completely altered the way that most Americans go about living their daily lives. That includes residents here in Tennessee. While many grappled with quarantine and stay at home orders early in the pandemic, the economy has slowly begun to reopen. This has led to many people considering taking road trips to visit family members and friends throughout the state and around the country. However, remaining safe on the roadway during a pandemic can present challenges. Here, our Nashville car accident lawyers discuss some safety measures that you and your family can implement before your trip.

Plan the route before you go

Right now, preparation is incredibly important. First, you need to research where you are going because some states have placed limitations on visitors coming from out of state. For example, some states in the northeast portion of the US are mandating that visitors from other states quarantine for 14 days after arriving or face fines and even jail time.

However, what you are more likely to encounter are temporary closures at various points along the route to your destination. This could include your regular rest stops and gas stations. You may need to call ahead to various restaurants, gas stations, and hotels to ensure that you will have somewhere to stop on the way.

Packing and sanitizing

Any road trip you take right now should include plans for proper sanitation to keep you and your family safe. It is recommended that you pack hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, disposable gloves, and sealable disposable plastic bags. Of course, this also includes bringing a mask which will likely be mandatory in many areas that you visit.

Anytime you have to stop at a gas station or to eat or come in contact with other people, you should wash your hands thoroughly. If you are unable to wash your hands immediately, use the hand sanitizer you have packed. When pumping gas, use the disinfecting wipe on the machine and the gas pump handle before touching it.

Paying for services and eating

When you are paying for any items, try to use your credit or debit card as much as possible. By not using cash, this eliminates hand-to-hand transactions that could spread COVID-19.

As you are taking a trip, you will inevitably need to stop to eat. Most restaurants have implemented strict sanitary and infection control protocols. However, you should still be vigilant to keep yourself and your family safe. If you choose to dine at a restaurant, make sure to use disinfecting wipes on the table and seats.

You could consider bringing your own food and snacks if you are only going on a day trip and will arrive at your destination before a regular meal. Just make sure that you properly disinfect the packaging on any snacks you bring into your vehicle.

Driving safety

As always, you need to be aware of your surroundings on the roadway. As traffic has begun to return to normal, various states around the country have reported an uptick in speeding and serious car accidents. Follow the speed limit when you are on the roadway, and practice defensive driving. Be aware of what other drivers around you are doing, and leave plenty of space between you and any vehicles in front of you.

Reach out to our Nashville personal injury attorneys if you have additional questions.