Rest Stop Safety
Rest Stop Safety: How to Protect Yourself at Rest Areas
If you’ve driven for any length of time, then you’ve probably stopped at a rest stop. A rest stop is a place where drivers can get out of their cars and stretch their legs, use the restroom, and maybe grab a bite to eat before continuing on with their journey.
While these facilities may seem like an obvious place for danger, rest stops are actually very safe if you know how to stay safe at them. In this blog post, we’ll cover a few things you need to know about safe rest areas near you so that you can enjoy your next trip without worrying about your safety.
1. Finding The Right Parking Spot
First, look for a parking spot that has a lot of other cars around it. This will help deter criminals from breaking into your car because it will be more obvious if someone tries something funny. If there aren’t any available spots with lots of cars around them, try to park close by instead.
2. Securing Valuables
Second, never leave anything in plain sight—especially valuables! Make sure everything is hidden away out of sight so that no one can see what’s inside your vehicle while they walk by on their way into the rest stop building or restaurant/convenience store where they might try to steal stuff from parked vehicles if they see something worth taking (like purses).
3. Keep Doors Locked at All Times
Third, always lock all doors before moving away from your vehicle so that no one can get inside while you’re gone—even if it means locking yourself out temporarily while getting something from another part of the facility (like going into a bathroom).
4. Staying Safe Walking Around Rest Stops
When walking around the rest area, make sure to stay in well-lit areas and keep an eye out for any suspicious people or vehicles. If you notice anything suspicious, contact the police immediately by dialing 911 or 9-1-1 (if outside North America). If there are no police officers around, hide until they arrive.
5. What To Do in An Emergency
If there is an emergency while traveling with children at rest stops, try to stay calm and take action immediately. For example: if your child has been bitten by a dog or stung by a bee, apply ice or cold water immediately to reduce swelling and ease the pain. If their breathing has stopped or slowed down significantly (aka if they are turning blue), call 911 immediately and perform CPR until help arrives.
6. Protecting Your Personal Belongings
When traveling, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. You can help keep yourself safe by taking these precautions:
● Keep an eye on your belongings at all times. If you can’t watch them, put them in a locker or somewhere secure that only you have access to.
● Don’t leave valuables in the car. Lock up your bags and suitcases, even if you’re just getting out for a moment.
● Don’t leave anything visible from outside the car—including laptops, purses, and backpacks.
7. Driving Safety
The following are some tips on how to stay alert while driving at rest stops:
● Make sure your car is in good working order and ready for the long haul. Get it checked over by a mechanic before hitting the road.
● Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have enough tread on them to handle whatever conditions you might encounter.
● Keep an eye on your gas tank so that you don’t run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere. If you’re driving somewhere new, check out what gas stations are available before stopping for fuel.
● Don’t forget your cell phone charger! Having access to a phone while traveling can be an absolute lifesaver if something goes wrong while you’re away from home.
● Make sure you’re well-rested before you take any road trip and try to get some sleep during your trip if possible.
● If possible, try not to drive at night when it’s harder for us humans to stay focused on our surroundings due to the lack of natural light around us (and also because it’s more dangerous for drivers who aren’t as well-rested).
Conclusion
To stay safe on the road, always be aware of your surroundings. This means that you should always keep your doors locked, never leave anything in plain sight, and never get into a vehicle with someone you don’t know.
If you’re traveling with children, it’s also important to make sure they understand how important it is to stay safe on the road. They should know that they should never get out of the car without checking with their parents first. If they see something suspicious, they shouldn’t hesitate to call 911 and report it immediately.
We hope this post has been helpful in helping you stay safe while traveling!
Thomas Bouve
Thomas Bouve has had an intensive IT career in innovative transportation projects and now works at Rest Stops Ahead. During a 4-year tour of duty in the Navy, LCDR Bouve received critical computer training which he directly applied to various logistics programs. After his military service, Tom was appointed Chief of, the Research and Analysis Division within the U.S. Department of Transportation.