EDITORS DESK

As travel restrictions between provinces ease, it’s likely that many are planning a family road trip for the coming holidays. It should come as no surprise that many are opting for this means of escape. Rather than international travel that requires a long hotel quarantine upon return, many provinces in the country simply check for your vaccine card and require a negative RT-PCR test at most.

As further evidence, the Baguio Visita website — where tourists must register before planning a trip —has already filled up all the slots for the entirety of the holiday season. Nonetheless, there are still many places around the country where one can drive to with the family.

If you’re one of the lucky few to have secured a slot, whether in Baguio or any other scenic out of town destination, here are some tips to ensure your trip is smooth and hassle free.

Keep copies of vaccine cards/QR codes

Restrictions may be easing but some areas still retain stricter border control than others. As such, it’s prudent to keep copies of vaccine cards and all relevant QR codes and documents for every passenger easily accessible. The trip to Baguio alone will have you stopping at up to three checkpoints on the way to the summer capital. Having those documents handy ensure speedier progress through those checkpoints.

Inspect your vehicle at an MVIS

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to check your vehicle before a long trip. Several hours of continuous driving and at full load can be extremely taxing to any car. If you’re not sure what could be problematic with your vehicle, an easy way to find out is to have it inspected at an MVIS center. These comprehensive and fully-computerized facilities are designed to check a vehicle’s roadworthiness. The printed report can serve as a great report card of your vehicle’s health and warn you of any potential problems. Plus, if you’re due for registration soon, it’s valid for up to 60 days.

Top up tollway RFIDs before your trip

The cash lane on most tollways has been a boon for many motorists unsure of their RFID’s balance. Yet expect these few lanes to get longer with holiday traffic. To avoid these delays, top up your RFIDs before your trip. AutoSweep and Easytrip now offer users many ways to top up, even from some banks’ online portals or phone apps. My favorite is still the payment terminal found in most convenience stores as they often accept payments for both tollway operators.

Stay calm behind the wheel

Once packed and ready for the road, the most important is staying calm behind the wheel. During this season, you’ll likely be sharing the road with other families eager to escape the city. Packing and departing at a planned time can be stressful enough. As such, expect other motorists to be either in a rush or already driving with a hair-trigger temper. Be extra patient and follow the rules of the road.

Don’t hog the leftmost lane if you’re not overtaking. This is one of the most common sources of road rage among out-of-town drivers. Similarly, be more patient with slower drivers. They’re likely more concerned about their passengers’ safety than getting to their destination sooner, which is exactly the mindset every designated driver must have.

For those driving, be honest if you’re tired and give up the wheel when you feel fatigue. Even closing your eyes for a brief moment is a risky proposition.

If you’re a passenger, be considerate of the driver. Avoid playing slow or calming music that can potentially make the driver drowsy. Keep the driver focused on the road by offering to open any bottles or cans for him/her and even handing food or candy to keep them alert.

Pandemic or not, road trips are a great escape from the grind. Sure, spontaneity makes it more fun. Yet a little bit of planning and care can make it even more enjoyable and safe.

(The author is the Motoring Editor of Manila Bulletin.)