The Life-Saving Yet Budget-Friendly Safety Tool To Keep Handy For Your Next Road Trip

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When going on a road trip — probably to explore breathtaking national parks across America — emergencies can happen when you least expect them. And while no accident is a good accident, it can be even more terrifying to be in a crash where the car turns upside down — or gets submerged in water. No one would ever hope for such a misfortune, but the reality is that it does happen. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the year 2017 witnessed roughly 8,000 crashes involving vehicles that were partially or fully submerged. In that same year, occurrences that involved cars rolling over were 10 times higher.

While submersion and rollover crashes may be rarer than other types, they're part of the most fatal kinds of accidents, respectively leading to drowning and crushing. And when such accidents occur, doors could jam, and seatbelts might fail to unlatch, which leaves you with no way to escape, making the situation even more dire. In that case, having a car escape tool could be your only chance of survival. Many of these car escape tools are designed to help cut stuck seatbelts and break the car window in case of life-threatening emergencies.

Fortunately, they're compact, easy-to-carry, and generally affordable, with prices sometimes around $10. Although there are different types, the most effective are the spring-loaded glass breakers, as they tend to break tempered glass much better and more easily than hammer-style tools. It makes even more sense if you have a multifunctional kind that doubles as a seatbelt cutter.

If you're picking a car escape tool, it's good to know the difference between hammer-style tools and spring-loaded ones. When using the hammer-like version, you'd have to forcefully swing it to break the side windows of your car, but this may be difficult in situations where there isn't enough space to swing the tool hard enough or when you're injured. Conversely, the spring-loaded type doesn't require much effort. It contains a string that automatically pushes out a spike to shatter the glass, and you only need to press the tool against the window to activate it. Spring-loaded car escape tools are particularly helpful underwater, a place where swinging a hammer would be impracticable once the vehicle fills with water.

It's worth noting, nonetheless, that these tools have limitations when it comes to more recent car models, many of which now have laminated side windows. Unlike tempered glass, laminated glass (which is typically used for windshields) is designed to resist shattering because it's constructed to remain bonded even when it cracks. In the experiment conducted by AAA, none of the car escape tools could reliably break laminated windows, and this reflects how important it is for you to know what type of glass your car windows are made of ahead of time.

That said, if your car's side windows are made of tempered glass, it's important to go for reliable and multifunctional car escape tools, specifically the spring-loaded kinds. Popular models like the Resqme 2-in-1 Seatbelt Cutter and Window Breaker and Smosun Safehammer Glass Breaker can be really good options. Moreover, they're compact enough to store in your car or bag easily, and they can be attached to your keychain to keep them accessible.

No one wants to end up in a crash (or even think about the possibility), but preparation is always essential ahead of such issues. Accordingly, it's recommended to get familiar with how to use car escape tools. With practice, muscle memory can help if there's ever a need to use that knowledge. In the same vein, where you put the tool is also essential, as you wouldn't want to start fumbling for it in a life and death situation; it should be kept within easy reach, like the center console for those in the front row, or behind the seat for those in the back row. Make everyone in the car aware of the locations and how to use the tool.

Moreover, travelers planning a trip to a destination that is prone to flooding or near bodies of water, or those going along such routes, should consider this tool as part of the safety items you should pack for your road trip. In fact, even if you're visiting a place with very little chance that you'll need the tool, bringing it with you is still a smart move; just knowing that you have it in your car can, on its own, make you feel safer during your road trip. Plus, a tool with a seatbelt cutter could be necessary anywhere. In truth, nobody knows when they'll be in this one-in-a-thousand situation, and having a car escape tool might just be the only thing that tilts the odds in your favor.