In a country with over four million miles of public roadways, taking a road trip is a favorite American pastime. There’s a lot to see out there after all! Whether you’re cruising across the country on Route 66, catching views on the Pacific Coast Highway or leaf watching on the Blue Ridge Parkway, safety should always be a priority, even more important than the sites themselves. So, before the “rubber meets the road,” keep these safety tips in mind for your next road trip adventure.
Speaking of the rubber and the road – is your vehicle up to the task of a long road trip? From the tires, to the breaks, lights, fluids etc.., it’s a good idea for a licensed mechanic to give your vehicle a safety once-over before you get going. A breakdown will put a kink in your road trip plans- so try to prepare with good vehicle maintenance before you set out.
Along the way, you could experience a variety of different road and weather conditions. Are you prepared for a breakdown in the desert or in wintery conditions? Having sufficient water, blankets and food are must haves. Do you have all-weather tires, chains, a spare, salt? You’ll need those items if you will be travelling across the country, especially when the weather is likely to change seasonally. So, make sure you have the right equipment for the job.
Emergencies happen, even to the well-prepared road tripper! Have an emergency medical kit packed and ready to go. Because some of the millions of miles of roadways will not have cell service, consider other means of communication like satellite phones or CB radios. Getting emergency medical care as quickly as possible depends on your ability to reach help, so make sure your communication devices are up to task!
Emergencies on a Road Trip
For those times when the emergency is serious and help is far, air ambulance care is critical for patients. On AirMedCare Network’s (AMCN) website, you can check the coverage map against your road trip itinerary to see if one of our 320+ bases are near to where you are travelling. In an emergency, our providers respond to the call, but our members never pay out-of-pocket costs for their care. Even on a road trip away from home, our members have less financial worries because of our extensive network of providers covering over three million miles in the United States.
To learn more about AMCN, check the coverage map and learn about our Fly-U-Home membership upgrade to get you back to your regular doctor if you become hospitalized more than 150 NM from home.
Key Points
- There are more than four million miles of public roadways in the U.S.— and most of them have limited or non-existent cell service.
- Preparing your vehicle with a professional safety inspection is critical to a safe road trip.
- Bring emergency gear like first-aid kits, water, blankets and food, if you become waylaid.
- Have a satellite phone or CB radio if you need help while out of cell range.
- Air ambulance membership, with over 320 bases included, means AMCN members have fewer financial worries in an emergency needing air ambulance care (only when flown by an AMCN provider), even away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If an AirMedCare Network Provider does not transport you, you will be responsible for payment. Our membership program only covers transports provided by our affiliates.
There is no limit to the number of transports a member may take in a year. Each transport is handled the same way and must be an emergent or time-sensitive transport as determined by a physician (or other appropriate provider) or first responder unaffiliated with AMCN.
With an AirMedCare Network membership, any person or persons who reside under one (residential) roof are covered. In the event we have a member who lives in a duplex or apartment complex, we designate the primary member’s residence/address— that is considered the “one roof”. Undergraduate college students can be covered under their parent’s membership as well as anyone previously residing in the household who is then moved to a permanent care facility.
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