My preparation task list:

Fix my hair
Brush my teeth
Double check the daily outfit
Try to find matching socks or shoes
Grab phone and wallet
Lock the door on the way out

Okay, I know these things might be a bit superficial in the appearance category. But, can you honestly tell me you don’t do these things too? Especially when the dryer eats socks, it’s hard to find twins for the toes.

Preparing for things is so important when you become an adult. When you don’t simple things become scattered like forgetting your wallet, your homework, or to let the dog out before working for eight hours. (We won’t go into detail on that last one.)

Life is all about preparing. Why shouldn’t we use the same ideas for driving? If you need a little help getting started, we might have some tips to help you on your pre-driving checklist.

Preparing the outside of the vehicle.

You never know what your neighbor may have dropped while on the way to the dumpster or how well the car will do on the rainy streets. Preparing for potential mishaps is easy when you check for things like:

  • Broken glass
  • The condition of your tires
  • Leaking fluid
  • Debris on the ground that could interfere with driving

Check for small children or pets.

This may go without saying, but children and pets are always wanting to hide. Whether it be from a game of hide-and-seek, or a little shade from the heat, these critters can surprise you at any time. Always be on the lookout for them.

Store valuables in the trunk of the vehicle.

Windows are easily broken. Don’t let a potential thief see your new tablet or jewelry sitting in the front seat. Also, books and bags are less likely to slide off the seats leaving you with a more organized vehicle.

So, next time you’re preparing for a drive you can count on your observations. Your hair looks great, the wallet is in hand, and you threw away that broken bottle next to your tires.