Traveling for work can be a fantastic experience, but it also comes with a few risks.
Those who travel for work run into a variety of hazards that conventional workers do not. When you think about it, this makes sense, as travelers tend to find themselves in unfamiliar situations. Still, keeping yourself safe while on the road is relatively simple, as long as you follow some guidelines.
Rent a Familiar Car (If Possible)
One area where travelers get into trouble is renting cars that they aren’t familiar with. While it is understandable to want to switch things up, doing so could make you more likely to be involved in an accident. What you can do instead is rent a car similar to the one you drive on a regular basis. That way, you won’t be surprised by the way the vehicle functions.
Use Your GPS Properly
GPS is a wonderful tool, and it is especially crucial in areas that you’ve never driven in before. Using one can take the guesswork out of getting to your destination, and make you much safer as a result. That being said, some people get into trouble with their GPS by misusing it. The most common situation in which they do so is trying to adjust directions while driving. This is a form of distraction and should be avoided. What you can do instead is pull over and safely tweak your route.
Be Aware of the Weather
People often travel to areas with vastly different weather than they have at home. The most problematic is going from a dry climate to one that is wet or snowy. That kind of weather frequently leads to drivers losing control of their vehicles, so you should respect the danger that they represent. You may want to consider not driving at all if the weather is bad enough, and instead using a taxi or rideshare service.
Keep Your Head Up
Whether you’re walking on the street or driving in a rental car, it is a bad idea to look down at your phone. Doing so is tempting, but taking your attention away from what’s in front of you can be dangerous. Instead, use your phone when stationary, and then give walking or driving your full attention.
Get Vaccinated
This tip won’t apply to most, as you will not need additional vaccines when traveling in the United States. Still, some travelers go to international destinations for work. In that case, it is a good idea to look up what vaccines the CDC recommends for that country and discuss them with your doctor.
Traveling for work can be a fantastic experience, but it also comes with a few risks. The good news is that you can follow our 5 simple tips and make yourself much safer. Of course, if anything goes wrong, you can always discuss your options with a St. Louis workers compensation lawyer. Doing so is crucial, as injuries suffered during work travel tend to lead to complicated cases. Give us a call 24/7 for a FREE Consultation :: (314) 361-4300