Read more about Travel and Tourism
Travel With a Known Transport Company
You are safer using well-known transport lines because they have a measure of security protocols. They have a manifest of passengers, trained drivers/pilots, travellers’ insurance fee, and midway security checks. Most popular transport lines are registered and monitored by governing transport bodies in the country. These bodies can easily hold them accountable if something goes wrong. With an unmarked car or transport system, they thrive on staying under the radar. This makes it easy to cover up any mishaps in their line of business which might not favour you in the long run. Always read customers review before choosing a transport company to travel with. If their reviews are all positive, be wary; if not, be cautious. The point is to have a realistic expectation and not blindly trust all you are being told about the company.Travel in Daylight Through Known Routes
Night travel is risky because in the cover of darkness, anything can happen and help is not guaranteed. So we advise you to travel in daylight. If you run into a challenge that halts your journey, you can easily find the nearest safe town to spend the night in. Also, travelling along known routes makes you easy to find by others willing to offer assistance. Some transport companies are best known for some specific routes. For instance, Faith Motors ply the east, Arik airlines crisscrosses the country, GIGM goes to Ghana, etc. If an aeroplane flies off course and gets missing, it might take a much longer time for passengers to be found. This reduces the chances of survival if there is a crash or dire situation.Let Someone Know About Your Movement
Have an accountability partner who you can inform about the details of your trip. This differs from posting your location, real-time info or travel details on social media (which is a very unsafe thing to do). Your accountability partner should know the transport company you are using, vehicle details, arrival and departure times, where you’ll be staying, etc. This could be a family member or a loved one who genuinely cares about your well being. That way, if anything happens, they can report to the police with proof of foul play.Use Travel Insurance
Travel insurance covers unforeseen losses incurred while travelling domestically or internationally. If you are travelling in a personal car or private jet, having travel insurance is a necessity. It covers up any challenges you might face with your vehicle. As a passenger, it will help cover medical bills, loss of property in transition, or even financial relief in the event of death. It might be small, but travel insurance can be exceedingly helpful in a crisis. And we all know the best time to prepare for a crisis is before you get into one, not after.Sign up to the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Avoid Using Public Wifi and Hackable Electronics
Identity theft is a growing issue of concern in the digital age. So when travelling, avoid using public insecure WiFi hotspots. Instead, get a MiFi or portable router to set up your own internet connection for online activities, particularly for transactions. Set up password protection on your devices and your personal MiFi network. Make sure the password is unique and difficult to guess to give hackers a hard time. Also, enable location tracking and data wiping software on your phone to protect your information if your device gets stolen. You can never be too careful, but with these tips, you should be safe when travelling. Featured Image Source: GremihaGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor at connectnigeria dot com