Tips from CAA for your Canada Day weekend road trip

If you’re heading out on the highways this Canada Day weekend, the last thing you need is for your vehicle to act up on the road.

Angel Blair with CAA Saskatchewan was on CJME’s Greg Morgan Morning Show with Kevin Martel, and she has several tips for how to prepare and avoid problems on that big road trip.

One is to make sure vehicles are road-ready and have them inspected.

“Look for things like your tires,” said Blair. “So, check your tires, check your brake fluid, your coolant, your oil levels, your window wipers and your washer fluid.”

Also, she said, to check the belt tension and the battery. The battery is something CAA can help with at the Battery Depot.

Boat and RV Travel

“If you are headed out camping which many people are, make sure to check the wheels on the camper and the boat trailer. That the lug nuts are the proper torque. Grease and adjust those wheel bearings. Inspect the suspension on your springs. And know where that owner’s manual is, you might need it. ”

When travelling, she advises having an emergency road kit just in case, including flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, a tire pressure gauge, flares, and nonperishable food items and water. Emergency road kits are available at CAA stores.

Out of Country Travelling

If travelling out of the country to the United States, Blair reminds people to have proper travel insurance.

Because it is the long weekend, Blair said people should expect lots of other traffic on the highways.

“Be cautious. The roads are going to be so busy this weekend,” said Blair. “So avoid driving distracted. Make sure the kids are ready, make sure you have your plans and the GPS all ready. Make sure the car seats are attached properly.”

Construction Zones

Because it is summer, motorists should also be ready for road construction season.

“If you run into construction or any emergency vehicles, slow down, remember it’s the law. Slow down to 60 (kilometers per hour) and move over.”

People may think that worrying about their car breaking down on the highway is more of a winter issue. During the worst of last winter’s cold, for instance, CAA received thousands of calls for service requests.

But Blair reminds motorists that problems can happen in the summer as well.

“Your vehicle can overheat. You can forget about things,” said Blair.

“In the winter we say make sure you have a full tank of gas. The same goes in the summer. Just make sure you’re prepared. You never know what detour you’ll have to take, what might happen. There might be construction, you might have different plans. There might be an emergency, so make sure you have things with you.”

Blair said CAA is ready to help with roadside assistance if people do encounter vehicle problems. They also have stores and workstations across the province.

“What we say is make sure you’re prepared, make sure you do everything that is possible to avoid trouble. But if there is trouble we’re here to help.”