Everybody knows that school holidays means more traffic on the road where people are going away on holidays, road trips and travelling more.
Check your vehicle
One of the most important tips we could give you is to check your vehicle. Although MOTs happen every year, you need to keep an eye on your vehicle’s health and the safety of it. You don’t want your vehicle to have issues when you’re halfway to your holiday destination with your family on a warm day. To avoid this hassle and possible safety issues you can check your vehicle before you set off.
Tyre Pressure – Checking your tyre pressure before you set off is vital. Having the wrong tyre pressure could cause a negative impact on the handling of your vehicle, road grip and breaking distance. Having the incorrect tyre pressure can also use up more fuel. Depending on the weight being held in your vehicle, you may have to change the pressure of the tyres if your vehicle has a heavier load in it. You will be able to find your correct tyre pressure on a sticker in the vehicle or in the handbook.
Windscreen wipers and screen wash – Ensuring your wipers work correctly and that you have enough screen wash is vital in ensuring you will have full vision when on your journey.
Oil level – There’s nothing worse than having a warning light come up on your dash board when you’re driving along heading to your destination. Oil is extremely important for a vehicle and having the correct levels. Make sure you have the correct oil and it’s filled up to the right amount before heading off. You can use Halford’s handy oil checker to find out what oil is needed for your vehicle.
Lights – Ensuring all of your vehicles lights work is so important, even if you’re not planning on driving when it’s dark. You never know what could happen during your journey so being prepared is always best.
Plan your route
Planning your route before hand can allow you to figure out if you will need to pay any tolls or if you will be travelling through any low emission zones. This ensures that you will be fully prepared for what lies ahead on your journey without any fines or toll payments.
Get some rest
According to The 100 Car Naturalistic Driving Study, being fatigued is likely to increase a drivers risk of a crash or near-crash by 4 times. Make sure you get good rest before you set off on your journey, and make sure o take breaks when needed.
Stay Calm
We know driving with a car full of people and traffic can make your journey stressful. Road rage can lead to dangerous driving which can put yours and the other motorists life at risk. Try listening to a calm and uplifting playlist whilst driving and make sure the kids are occupied so there’s less risk of arguments! You’ve got this
Enjoy!
Be safe and enjoy your journey, the destination doesn’t have to be the beginning of your Easter break, when your journey can be fun and memorable. Make sure you keep your vehicle safe to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
