How To Stay Safe When Driving In Remote Locations
There’s always something thrilling about driving through vast, open landscapes, far away from traffic, noise, and the daily routines you usually have to go through. You might want to explore scenic mountain roads, desert highways, or countryside lanes, but wherever you go, there’s always a fantastic sense of adventure about it all when you’re driving in remote locations.
However, as exciting as all this is, it does come with some risks - a breakdown in the middle of nowhere, a wrong turn, running low on fuel… these aren’t just small problems like they would be in more built-up areas - they can turn into serious problems when you’re really remote.
Being prepared is what makes the difference between an amazing road trip and a stressful ordeal, and if you’re heading into the wilderness somewhere, we’ve got some useful tips to help you stay safe, smart, and stress-free on your journey - read on to find out more.
Plan Your Route Before You Go
Spontaneous road trips sound fun (and they are fun!), but when you’re driving in a remote area, having a solid plan is essential. GPS is great, but the problem is that it’s not always reliable in places where there’s no signal, or where the route has changed but the tech hasn’t been updated, for example. You could end up on a long diversion without really knowing where you’re going. So, before you set off, make sure you check your route carefully and download some offline maps, carry a paper map as backup, and check out what the main landmarks are along the way so you know you’re going the right way.
Petrol stations are another issue - they can be few and far between in the middle of nowhere, and you can’t just assume one’s going to appear before you run out. It’s best to top up your fuel whenever you see a petrol station just to be on the safe side, even if it’s only a little bit - it’s better to be safe than sorry in that kind of situation! Also, let someone know your route and when you expect to get where you’re going - if something goes wrong and you’re out of signal range, at least someone will have an idea about where to start looking for you, and that’s better than nothing.
Pack An Emergency Kit
A fully stocked emergency kit is so important when you’re driving in remote locations - if your car breaks down and help isn’t coming quickly, having the right supplies really could make the difference, and there are a few things you’re going to need to have with you at all times in your car.
The first thing to get ready and pack in your car is a first aid kit just in case of minor injuries or you become unwell on the way to wherever it is you’re going. Then you’ll also need a torch and extra batteries (what would happen if you got stranded at night? Your phone torch won’t be good enough in most cases), as well as a portable phone charger because even a short burst of battery life could be what allows you to send that all-important SOS message to get help.
Other essentials you should have with you include a spare tyre, jump leads, basic tools, and plenty of water and snacks. Even if you don’t think you’ll be stuck for very long, dehydration is always going to be a potential problem, and it’ll get even worse if it happens to be hot, so the key is to carry more water than you’ll think you’ll actually need. And if you’re in a cold place, extra blankets or even spare clothes could be a fantastic option.
Check Your Car Before You Leave
They do say that prevention is better than cure, and that idea can be used for everything, not just your health - it can definitely be applied to your car before a trip into a remote area, anyway. In other words, before you start your journey, take a little time to check your car all over, and make sure it’s not going to have a problem that’ll mean you also then have a problem.
The tyres are an important thing to check - they’ve got to be properly inflated and you’ll need to check they’re not damaged. Also, how’s the tread right now? If it’s low, it could be wise to get new tyres put on before you start your drive, just to be on the safe side. Plus, your spare tyre is going to need to be in good condition, and that’s an easy thing to miss in your checks - it would be a disaster if you needed to change tyres only to find the spare was no good. Other things to check include your oil, water, coolant, and brake fluid levels, and your battery should also be tested - if it’s old, replacing it might be the best course of action as it could save you from a breakdown. Lights and indicators are another thing you’ll want to look at; they need to be in perfect working order, especially if you’re going to be driving at night or the weather’s not so great.
It might delay the start of your trip, but these little bits of maintenance means you could prevent something unfortunate happening that would delay the rest of your trip even more.
Be Aware Of The Weather
Remote areas can have some pretty extreme weather conditions, so checking the forecast before you go is absolutely crucial - you might not have to postpone your trip, but at least you’ll know what to expect and be ready for the driving conditions. The fact is that heavy rain can lead to flash floods, especially if you’re in the desert or a low lying area, and extreme heat can cause issues for your car’s engine, so that’s also something to be aware of. And if you’re driving through snowy or icy conditions, make sure your car has the right tyres and also pack a shovel and extra clothes to be on the safe side.
Also bear in mind that in some places, weather conditions can change really quickly, so you’ll need to have a good way of working out what’s happening next, and be prepared for any kind of weather that might come your way. And if that means changing your route or postponing your trip, at least you’ll know in advance and can make the right plans to stay safe.
Stay Connected
One of the biggest risks when you’re driving in remote areas is losing contact with the outside world and getting stuck, which could be terrible for your health (physical and mental) and your vehicle. In cities, a breakdown can be sorted out with a quick phone call to a breakdown service, but in remote locations, that’s not always going to be the case, especially if you’ve not got a signal. That’s why having a satellite phone or GPS track can be the solution, and even if you think that’s a step too far and not needed, it’s far better to be safe than sorry.
Even if you don’t have satellite technology, it’s really important to keep your phone fully charged wherever possible, and to carry a power bank or car charger with you to ensure it stays that way. For those in really remote areas, it’s recommended that you make a note when you hit a good signal spot because if you need to make a call, you might need to retrace your steps there to do it - it’s worth paying attention. For older drivers or those with medical conditions, emergency response systems can be ideal and give you an extra layer of safety and security just in case something goes wrong.
Watch Out For Road Hazards
Unlike city roads, remote roads can be full of unexpected hazards, and you’ll need to be aware of what they are and make sure you know how to avoid them. One big issue in the more remote areas is wildlife like deer and so on (it’s going to depend on what country you’re in as to what animals might suddenly run into the road), which is why you should always pay attention to the speed limit (even if you’re totally by yourself on a wide open road) because you just never know what’s going to suddenly appear in front of you.
And road conditions can also be unpredictable - remote roads aren’t always even paved, so there could be loose gravel, potholes, sudden dips, and all sorts of other hazards that you’re just not going to get on a main road in a city. So take it slow, keep both hands on the wheel, and always be on the lookout for potential hazards - you’ll be more in control and you’ll be able to avoid most problems that way.
Final Thoughts
Driving in remote locations can definitely be an adventure, but you’ve got to be prepared if you want to stay safe, and it’s worth taking some time to do it and get everything you need together rather than run the risk of a breakdown or accident when help could take a long time to get to you.