Vehicle Safety Checklist
Jani’s Roadside Reality Check:
☐ Spare tire that’s actually inflated
☐ Jumper cables you know how to use
☐ A flashlight that isn’t dead
☐ Emergency numbers saved, not “I’ll just Google it”
☐ A plan for what happens if the car doesn’t cooperate
The Road Trip Packing List covers what goes in the car. This one covers what happens if the car itself lets you down somewhere between the last gas station and the middle of nowhere. Nobody plans for a breakdown, which is exactly why it’s worth planning for one anyway.
Emergency Kit, Kept in the Car
☐ Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
☐ Flashlight with fresh batteries
☐ Basic tool kit
☐ Duct tape and zip ties, which fix more than you’d think
☐ Tire pressure gauge
☐ Tire repair kit or fix-a-flat
☐ Reflective triangles or road flares
☐ First aid kit
☐ Blanket, in case you’re stuck longer than expected
☐ Extra phone charger that doesn’t rely on the car’s power
Before Any Long Drive
☐ Tire pressure and tread checked, including the spare
☐ Oil level and fluid levels checked
☐ Brakes inspected if it’s been a while
☐ Battery tested, especially if it’s more than three years old
☐ Windshield wipers in working order
☐ All lights working, headlights, brake lights, and turn signals
☐ Registration, insurance, and roadside assistance information in the car, not just on your phone
If You Break Down
☐ Pull as far off the road as possible before stopping
☐ Turn on hazard lights immediately
☐ Set up reflective triangles or flares if it’s safe to exit the vehicle
☐ Stay inside the car if you’re on a highway shoulder, it’s safer than standing near traffic
☐ Call roadside assistance or a towing service before you call anyone else
☐ Share your location with someone who isn’t in the car with you
Weather-Specific Additions
☐ Ice scraper and extra blanket for cold-weather trips
☐ Sunshade and extra water for hot-weather trips
☐ Check the forecast for your entire route, not just your starting point
☐ Know your vehicle’s limits in rain, snow, or high wind before you’re already in it
Common Mistakes
☐ Assuming a short trip doesn’t need a safety check. Most breakdowns happen close to home, not far from it
☐ Storing the emergency kit somewhere you can’t reach it if the trunk won’t open
☐ Relying entirely on a phone for navigation and roadside help with no backup plan if the battery dies or signal drops
☐ Ignoring a dashboard warning light because “it’s probably nothing”
☐ Not knowing where the spare tire and jack actually are until you need them
Jani’s Tip 🚘
I’ve seen more travelers stranded by a dead phone than a dead battery. Bring the charger that plugs straight into the wall, not just the one that needs the car running.
Happy travels! XOXO, Jani ❤️
Did you know? The Traveler’s Handbook has more road trip guidance waiting for you, including what to actually pack in the car before you ever leave the driveway.
Related Traveler’s Handbook Articles
Road Trips
Before You Go
Journeys With Jani: Traveler’s Handbook 
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