Having a road accident, whether at fault or not, is an extremely stressful and potentially life-changing event. We’d like to take this opportunity to urge all road users to take extra care over the festive season to prevent loss of life. Below are a few road safety tips to follow this holiday season.
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Check Your Vehicle Before You Go
If you’re planning a road trip, make sure your vehicle is in the right condition to be on the road. Are your brakes working correctly? Have all the fluid levels been checked and topped up? Are your tyres roadworthy? Are all your lights and windscreen wipers functioning properly? Taking your vehicle in for a service before you take a trip helps to ensure that everything is in good working condition and can help prevent break downs and accidents on the roads.
Plan Your Route Before You Get Behind the Wheel
Driving on unfamiliar roads can be stressful and sometimes the GPS doesn’t always select the best route for you. It’s advisable to familiarise yourself with the route before you set out so you can be more prepared for the type of driving you can expect. It also minimises the need to adjust the GPS while you’re driving and allows you to stay focused on the road ahead.
Make Sure You’ve Had Plenty of Sleep
With many people returning home or visiting family over the holidays, there seems to be increased pressure to arrive at a destination by a certain time. But waking up early to arrive at a destination earlier and getting fewer hours of sleep is not the best idea. Remember that when you’ve had less sleep, your reaction times to external stimuli are slower, which could make you more susceptible to an accident. Make sure you’ve had plenty of quality sleep before you get behind the wheel.
Be Realistic With Your Travel Times And Follow the Rules of the Road
When travelling over the festive season, there are going to be more road users, resulting in more traffic and slower travel times. It’s best to plan ahead and factor this into your journey instead of becoming frustrated while on the road. Avoid rushing and making rash decisions when driving. The road rules are there for a reason and you should always follow them. Make sure you know the rules if you’re travelling interstate – they may differ across Australian states and territories.
Take Regular Breaks
It’s best to stop often when taking a long road trip. It is recommended that you take a break every 2 hours and avoid driving for more than 8 – 10 hours per day. Avoid pushing yourself and trying to fight fatigue – rather keep yourself and other road users safe by taking short breaks. Plan your stops before you drive, and make sure you stay hydrated.
Avoid Distractions While Driving
Keep your eyes on the road when you’re driving and make sure you’ve made adjustments to the side mirrors, seat position and sound system before you start your journey. Avoid the temptation to check your phone, even if you’re stopped at a red light or in traffic. By minimising your distractions on the road, you have a better chance of arriving at your destination safely.
Drive to the Conditions
Besides following the driving rules in Australia, you should also be adapting to the different driving conditions that you encounter. Knowing how to react in foggy or misty weather, during heavy rain or when the road is icy could all prevent an accident from occurring. By driving safely in all situations, you can keep yourself and other road users safe.
Contact Right2Drive If You’re in a Not At Fault Car Accident
Although it’s important to follow these tips for safe driving, unfortunately, accidents do still happen. If you are involved in a not at fault car accident, Right2Drive may be able to assist you with a like-for-like accident replacement vehicle. We are open over the festive season to assist eligible drivers.
