There are hurricane preparedness checklists, back-to-school checklists, and honey-do checklists, but do you know what should be on your emergency roadside safety checklist? We've compiled a list of items you need in your kit so you're prepared for any potential roadside emergencies.

Set aside a box or a backpack with the following items to keep in your car at all times. You'll be prepared for any road trip incidents!

There’s a couple areas of our lives where we could easily come up with a long list of pet peeves, and driving is certainly one of those daily chores where every red light becomes a battleground and every stop sign is an eye roll. Here’s our list of the 7 most common driving pet peeves. Did yours make the list?
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Pet Peeve #1: People texting and driving. Or doing anything on their phone and driving.
Generally speaking, distracted drivers are our biggest pet peeve. Obviously it’s a dangerous situation to be on the road with a distracted driver. Sometimes they’re weaving in their lane, hitting the brakes frequently, drifting off the road, etc. Bottom line, don’t text and drive. Don’t read a book and drive. Don’t bake brownies and drive. Don’t drive distracted. The best thing to do to avoid a collision with a distracted driver is drive with caution and get around them as soon as you are able.

Pet Peeve #2: People driving in the rain with their flashers on.
We’re not quite sure how this line of thought started but it is definitely not helpful for anyone to have their flashers/emergency lights on in a downpour. It’s actually even harder to see a vehicle with hazards on as brake lights and blinkers are less visible. Also, it’s against the law to do this, so spread the word - lights on, flashers off!

Pet Peeve #3: People who don’t park within the lines.
If you are constantly on the receiving end of door dings, bumper dents, and angry notes on the windshield, you may need to reevaluate your parking skills. When arriving to your destination, check to see how you parked. If you’re a bit wonky, straighten it up. Or if you find yourself trying to force your car into a spot next to someone who parked over the line, just keep moving on and find a space a little farther away to save yourself the hassle and irritation.

Pet Peeve #4: People who tailgate.
No, we’re not talking about football tailgating, but the drivers who seem to think your reflexes are so sharp (and that their reflexes are doubly sharp), that it’s just fine to travel three inches right behind you. Tailgating is dangerous and illegal. While you can’t necessarily prevent someone from tailgating you, watch your own space in front of you and travel AT LEAST one car length away per every 10 mph you’re driving.

Pet Peeve #5: People who drive with their high beams on and don’t dim them for oncoming traffic.
High beams are very helpful in dark or remote areas. But we’ve all encountered a driver or two who don’t seem to mind blinding us as we pass in the opposite direction. The rule is to dim your high beams at least 500 ft from any oncoming vehicle.

Pet Peeve #6: People who don’t use turn signals.
This is another pet peeve that is becoming more prevalent. We all appreciate the common courtesy of letting drivers know where you’re heading. Using your turn signal is also required by law. Drivers are highly encouraged to use their turn signals at least 100 feet prior to turning.

Pet Peeve #7: People driving with improperly secured loads.
Everyone has a story about road debris or items flying off truck beds and into their windshield. There are just some drivers who don’t understand the laws of physics. If you’re carrying something that won’t fit in your car, get professional help or maybe just have that mattress delivered to you instead.

It can be a dangerous roadway out there. Dodging distracted drivers, tailgaters, and flying mattresses can make for a high-stress commute. While you can’t control others’ actions, you can control how you behave and react on the road. We also recommend you keep up on car maintenance to ensure your vehicle isn’t creating it’s own driving hazard. Feel free to give us a call to schedule your next check-up.

​Spring is in the air, literally.

You can see it on your car and on your patio, especially if you live under oak trees. Allergy season in Florida is one of the worst in the country and this picture sums it up pretty well: 

​So what does this mean for your vehicle? 

Every vehicle has an engine air filter that helps keep out dirt and debris. Engines are like lungs, both need clean air to work correctly. A dirty engine air filter will hinder fuel economy and engine performance. 

For modern day vehicles, the majority of cars and SUVs have cabin air filters which filter the outside air before it enters the cabin of the vehicle. A dirty cabin air filter can cause unpleasant smells inside the vehicle and make your allergies even worse. ACHOO! A severely clogged cabin air filter can even cause damage to HVAC parts such as the AC blower motor and resistor. It could also cause low air volume from the AC vents. 

If you can’t remember the last time you checked or replaced your engine or cabin air filter then now is the time. And if you don’t know how or don’t have time to, we can do it for you! Our Full Service Oil Change include inspection of the engine air filter and cabin air filter (if equipped and accessible). 

The new school year may have just started, but we’re already dreaming about our next road trip. Whether we’re heading up North for the fall leaves, planning a trip to grandmother’s house for the holidays, or want an intimate getaway with our honey, road trips are our favorite way to escape.

Here are 7 road trip hacks we’ve learned from experience:

1. Keep your itinerary simple. Avoid being too ambitious with your number of stops and how many miles you need to put in. We’d all like to believe we are truckers that can do 8-12 hour runs, but the reality is that you WILL get tired. You WILL want to stop at that roadside attraction you didn’t know was there. You WILL want to try that diner you saw on the Food Channel. Have a plan, but don’t overplan. Leave room for the unexpected and don’t wear yourself out.
2. Disconnect. You may be tempted to pack the laptop or plug your phone in for easy access to phone calls and social media. Don’t. Put the phone down and connect with your road trip companion(s). We even challenge you to use an old-school, paper map.
3. Pack light. Take only what is necessary and don’t feel you need to pack for every “what if” scenario. Take snacks and eat light throughout the day, saving your big meals for your destinations. Leave room for your unique find from the quirky flea market you stumbled upon. 
4. Ask a local. Instead of doing all your research beforehand and deciding what and where you’re going to eat before you get a feel for the place, just ask a local. Word of mouth, local recommendations are better than any Yelp rating. 
5. Clean your car before (and during) your trip. There’s nothing better than beginning a trip with a clean and organized vehicle. And make sure you empty your trash along the way - there’s nothing worse than getting into a car and wondering “what’s that smell?”
6. Get your car inspected before hitting the road. It’s scary and frustrating when your car breaks down on the side of the highway. Have your technician at Harrell & Beverly give your car a good inspection. They’ll be able to ensure fluid levels, brakes, and tires (including the spare!) are all in order.
7. Put together a simple emergency car toolkit. Jumper cables, first aid kit, spare tire, car jack and tire iron, tire pressure gauge, tool set, hazard signal devices (flares or reflective triangles), safety vest, blanket, fire extinguisher, tow strap, flashlight (magnetic base and head strap mounted), gallon of water, toilet paper, and air pump. We realize this may be counter intuitive to #3 and you may not feel comfortable trying to repair anything yourself, but you will appreciate having the necessities on hand in case a knowledgeable driver or mechanic are able to assist.

Next month: We’ll share our emergency roadside toolkit checklist!

The Classics

License Plate Game
The License Plate Game is probably one of the most well-known and loved of all car games. Whether played individually or competitively with other passengers, the goal of the game is to find/identify as many different state license plates as you can. This game is great for kids too and the Happinesss is Homemade blog has provided a fun License Plate Game coloring map which you can download here.

I’m Going on a Picnic
Not only will this game test your memory, it will also make you hungry! The first person starts the game by saying,"I'm going on a picnic, and I'm taking..." something that begins with the letter “A”. 

The second person then repeats the first part of the sentence, repeats what the first person is bringing, and then adds something starting with the letter “B”. The game continues around the car to each person, repeating and adding to objects beginning with the following letters of the alphabet.

Find the Letters
This is another simple alphabet game that could get pretty heated as players attempt to find sequential alphabet letters on store and restaurant signs, billboards, road signs, etc. You can make the game a little more challenging by ruling that players on the right can only find letters on the right side of the car and those on the left, must look on the left-hand side.

For Kids

​I Spy
Kids love playing “I Spy” and the game transitions well to the car too! The Happiness is Homemade blog also put together a couple of printables for a round of “I Spy” scavenger hunt style which you can download here.

Team Storytelling
Have a car full of young passengers? Get their creative brains working by starting a group story. You can start with "Once upon a time” or anything silly to get the ball rolling. The next person adds a line to the story and so on. This could last for a few minutes or a few hours!

Once the story ends you can ask the kids illustrate the story and save as a road trip memory!

Silence Is Golden
This “game” may be a welcome break for everyone. Adults decide on a prize and the goal is to be completely quiet. Prizes are for anyone who doesn’t break the sacred silence!

For Adults

Name That Tune
It’s easy and fun to play this game, based on the popular television show of the mid-20th century, in your car. Use your iPod or radio to play some tunes and see who can name the title and artist. Add some bonus points for singing along!

Conversation Starters
Take the opportunity to get to know your driving buddy better with a list of thought-provoking questions. Download a starter set here.

Mad Libs
Mad Libs have been around for a very long time and make for great entertainment at home and in the car. Complete short stories with words as directed and read the resulting humorous stories aloud. Pick up some of the books on Amazon before your trip or at a Cracker Barrel along the way.