America's love affair with the open road has grown to become its love affair with recreational vehicles. Today, there are over 30 million RV enthusiasts, and more on the way. With more than 16,000 publicly and privately owned campgrounds nationwide, RVs give us the freedom to roam from coast to coast and any stop in between. But getting safely from here to there takes planning.

Be an Informed Buyer

Make sure your vehicle can safely tow an RV. Most full and mid-size family cars can pull a trailer, and so can today's popular vans, 4x4s and light-duty trucks. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association suggests that you discuss these basic factors with your RV and auto dealers when evaluating trailer/tow vehicle options: engine horsepower; transmission and axle capacity; cooling equipment; suspension; springs and shocks; power brakes; power steering; and battery capacity.

- Check the owner's manual to find the trailer types that your vehicle can haul and the maximum load weight it can pull. Obtain a "trailering guide" for your vehicle.

- You'll also want to follow your RV dealer's advice on the type and size of hitch and ball, tire inflation and anti-sway devices.

- If you tow a boat, get the right-sized trailer to minimize swaying.

- Make sure your trailer has the right tires. Never use automotive radial tires on a boat or other trailer. Carry a spare.

- If you're thinking of buying an RV, call 1-888-GO-RVING.

Towing A Small Trailer

Make a thorough check of your vehicle and trailer when you use it.

- Be sure vehicle and trailer are hitched correctly.

- Connect brakes and signal lights. Always check that the trailer's brakes, turn signals and tail lights work and are synchronized with the towing vehicle's.

- Check tire pressure, and lug nuts for tightness.

- Don't overload the towing vehicle or the trailer. Check the manuals. Place a slightly higher percentage of cargo weight toward the front of the trailer. This will improve the connection by increasing weight on the hitch.

- Balance the load from side to side, and secure it so it won't shift.

- Once the trailer is loaded, make sure all doors are closed and secure. Be sure safety chains are attached, in good condition, and not dragging on the ground.

- On the road, steer as little as possible to avoid swaying. Try to avoid applying the brakes suddenly. It's better to release the gas pedal and slow down naturally.

- Trailer tires can get very hot while in use, especially tires on smaller trailers. Follow the manufacturer's directions for recommended maximum speeds. On hot days travel under the speed limit.

- Check and grease your trailer's wheel bearings once a year, and after each immersion in water.

Big Tow

Whether driving a motorized RV, or towing a travel trailer, special precautions are required.

- Before leaving on a trip, sit in the driver's seat and adjust all mirrors for optimal road views. Equip a towing vehicle with large mirrors for the fenders on both sides.

- Check for leaks in propane gas bottles, heating equipment, and related tubing. Turn off all valves.

- Load tools and emergency and foul weather items in an accessible location in the towing vehicle.

- While moving, don't let anyone stay in the towed vehicle. It is dan­gerous and illegal in many states.

- Allow for your vehicle size when turning.

- Increase your normal following distance.

- Allow more time to brake, change lanes, and enter a busy road, since bigger vehicles take more time to accelerate and slow down.

- After passing, allow plenty of room before changing lanes again.

- Most trailering mishaps occur when going downhill and the trailer begins pushing the towing vehicle. When descending steep hills it is important to use a lower gear to achieve some braking action from the engine rather than depending solely on the braking system.

- Back up with care. Use someone outside the vehicle to assist the driver. If there's no one to help, get out and inspect the area.

- Always carry tire changing instructions when you travel.

Vehicle Warnings

According to Operation Lifesaver, an average of eight collisions between trains and motorists occur every day. Over 350 people are killed each year, and about 1,000 are seriously injured. A motorist is 40 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a collision with a train than in a collision with another motor vehicle.

- Look, Listen and Live is the basic rule. Obey all highway-rail crossing signs and signals.

- Don't rely on warning signals. They could be broken. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, or if you feel vision at the crossing is restricted, e.g., high weeds, call the police or the railroad. You may want to find another route.

- Expect a train any time. Most trains don't follow set schedules.

- As you approach a railroad crossing: slow down when you see the R X R advance warning sign; open a window; turn off the radio and fan; stop talking; look both ways; and listen for a train whistle.

- You must stop if red warning lights are flashing; warning bells are ringing; there's a STOP sign, or the gates are lowered. It's the law. NOTE: More than half of all train-vehicle crashes occur when a driver disregards flashing red lights or gates that warn of a coming train.

- Never race a train to a crossing. Always assume you'll lose.

- Never stop on a crossing or shift gears. When traffic is heavy, wait until you are sure you can clear all of the tracks.

- If you start across the tracks and the warnings activate, continue to the other side. Don't stop or attempt to back up.

- Watch out for a second train when crossing multiple tracks.

- Its large mass makes it difficult to judge the speed and distance of an oncoming train. Be careful.

- Remember, trains cannot stop quickly. It can take a mile or more to stop once the brakes are applied.

- Be doubly alert at night and in bad weather. Don't overdrive your lights. In many nighttime collisions, cars run into trains.

- Many rail-car collisions occur near a driver's home because people take a rail crossing for granted. Don't fall into that trap. Build pos­sible delays into your schedule.

- Keep alcohol, distractions and fatigue out of your car.

- If your car stalls on the tracks, get everyone out immediately and get a safe distance from the tracks. Call the police. If no train is coming, post lookouts and try to get the car off the tracks. Be ready to get away fast. If a train approaches, run toward the train to avoid flying debris.

Personal Warnings

In recent years, over 500 people have been killed annually while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property.

- Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks and property or through tunnels. Furthermore, these activities are against the law.

- Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe all warning signs and signals.

- Do not hunt or fish from railroad trestles. There is only enough clearance on tracks for a train to pass. They are not meant to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges.

- Do not attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb.

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications are intended to keep us healthy. In the wrong circumstances - especially when we are behind the wheel of a vehicle - our drugs could contribute to our early demise. To be sure your medications don't abuse you, please remember:

- It is your responsibility to know what you're taking and how it affects you. If you have a question, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

- Bodies are different and every­one will not react the same to medications. Furthermore, a drug can affect one person differently in dif­ferent situations.

- Don't mix medications, or mix any kind of drug with alcohol, until you have consulted with your doctor or pharmacist.

- Try to use only one pharmacy.

- The problem with some drugs, such as cough medicines, is that they have a high alcohol content. Read the literature you get with any drug to determine whether it con­tains sedatives or alcohol.

Driving Alert

Even at recommended doses, OTC drugs can affect driving ability as much, or in some cases, even more than illegal drugs, pre­scription drugs, or alcohol.

- Antihistamines are the principal culprit, according to the Southern California Research Institute. They can cause drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision.

- Sleeping pills and night-time cold medications can also impair drivers. Obviously, a medication intended to help you sleep is not going to make you a good driver.

- Ibuprofen, a commonly used pain reliever, can reduce concentra­tion levels and cause drowsiness.

- If you're taking a medication for the first time, don't plan on driving after you take that first dose. Wait to see how it affects you.

I continue my discussion of driving safely with the following about distractions:

A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that driver distraction is a factor in 80 percent of all motor vehicle crashes.

The list of distractions in an automobile is long and continues to grow. The bottom line here is that we just have to pay closer attention to our number one responsibility behind the wheel: driving safely. Here are some tips to help achieve that objective.

Focus On The Task At Hand

- Start with the basics and drive defensively. Make it your goal to have a "perfect" trip.

- Don't turn your head to talk or look at scenery or another person.

- Don't fool with the radio or other nonessential equipment when the road is busy. When driving in unfa­miliar areas, turn off the radio for maximum concentration.

- Personal grooming and reading are obvious no-no's.

- Experts say we eat one in ten restaurant meals in our automobile, often while weaving through traffic. Don't eat or drink while you drive.

- If you don't know exactly where you're going, get directions before you leave.

- If you need to look at a map or reach into your purse or briefcase, pull over. The same applies to dealing with troublesome children.

- Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may be distracting.

- Illness is a distraction. When you're sick, your reflexes are slower than normal and your senses may be fogged. Consider staying home until you are alert.

- Read the labels on medications and talk to the pharmacist. Many medications such as antihistamines can make you dizzy or drowsy.

The Rolling Phone Booth

Using a cell phone while driving is a leading cause of driver inattention.

- Learn and follow all local and state laws. When you travel, review local requirements.

- Learn how to operate your phone without looking at it.

- Never take notes or look up phone numbers while driving. Use a small tape recorder to take notes.

- Keep conversations brief so you can concentrate on your driving.

- A cell phone should only be used when it is absolutely necessary. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association offers these safety tips for cell phone users:

- Take the time to become familiar with the features of your phone such as speed dial and redial.

- Position your phone so you can reach it while maintaining a proper view of the road and all mirrors.

- Dial while the vehicle is stopped. If you absolutely must dial in light traffic, dial a few numbers, check traffic, and continue dialing when it's safe. Or, have a passenger dial for you.

- If you place a call while moving, stay in the lane reserved for slower traffic.

- Use Speed Dialing for frequently dialed numbers.

- Always assess the traffic situation before receiving calls. Allow voice mail to answer the phone when it's unsafe to speak, e.g., heavy traffic or bad weather.

- Let the person you are speaking to know you are driving. If neces­sary, suspend conversations during hazardous driving conditions or situations.

- The National Safety Council rec­ommends not using a cell phone at stoplights. You may notice cars moving in the next lane, but your light could still be red.

- Hearing impaired drivers should pull over to use the phone. Too much of your attention will be diverted to deciphering the sounds.