Critical Days of Summer Week 5: On that road again….. Published June 18, 2012 By Tech. Sgt James Fountain 17th Safety Office GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- -- So you're off to join Willie and the gang headed out of town this summer... Hopefully you will not just jump in your vehicle and just "go". Taking a trip takes a lot of forethought and preparation. How many miles is the final destination? How many stops are you going to make? Is it an overnight trip? Snacks or food stops? Restaurants in the area where you plan on stopping? Are you hitting a major city in the early morning or later afternoon? How far can your gas last in between places? Is your car in good condition? Is the weather going to be bad? There are so many things to plan for, but what you are most critically trying to avoid is an emergency on your hand with no light in sight. Use your personal risk management skills, take the time to plan for your trip in advance and always have a backup plan! There are plenty of forums you can browse for things to see along your way. That may pass the time instead of sitting in traffic. Using technology can tremendously help along the way. The majority of new phones will have a "maps" technology and access some type of weather information channel. Suggestions on weather resources when planning your trip: http://weather.weatherbug.com/travel-forecast/trip-planner.html http://www.wunderground.com/roadtrip/ http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/interstate/index.html You can also consider using TRiPS system designed for military users. There are many possibilities that I could link you to. But the main focus should be on thinking ahead and planning for the trip you are going to take. Think ahead to be ahead. For more information contact the Wing Safety Office at (325) 654-3894 or (325) 654- 3963.
