Top Tips for Holiday Driving

Driving is a potentially dangerous activity at any time. It can be even more so when you are on holiday. A new environment and maybe a different car can conspire to make you less effective behind the wheel than usual, and the very fact that you are on holiday can cause you to relax and become a little careless. It is important that you guard against these dangers to keep your car and your family safe. Follow our top tips for holiday driving to reduce the chance of causing injury or having to spend your precious time away organising car repairs.

Learn the rules of the road and customs

If you are going overseas, it is a good idea to do a little research into the rules of the road before you go. Driving rules are similar in many countries, but even if they appear so at first glance you might find the odd exception. Check rules and customs relating to overtaking or giving way at junctions, for example. You might be surprised at what you find. Arm yourself with as much information as possible; this is one occasion when you do not want to learn from trial and error.

Make sure you know where you are going

Accidents are much more likely to happen if the driver is fretting about where to go instead of concentrating exclusively on the road and other road users. This is inevitably more of an issue when driving in a new location. A great way to minimise this problem is to use a satellite navigation system (sat nav). Just key in your destination and follow the instructions. You can buy your own sat nav system, hire one from your car rental company or even download one for your smart phone. If you don’t want to use a sat nav system, make sure you have a good map and plan your route in advance.

Take regular breaks

If you are taking a road trip, the temptation may be to cover great distances in one go, to get to your destination quicker. You need to be aware that this strategy comes with risks. Tiredness dramatically reduces the ability to drive safely. Concentration and reaction times are severely compromised. It is vital therefore that you take a short break every couple of hours. If there is more than one driver in your party, the easiest solution is to take it in turns. That way you will all arrive safely and be relatively refreshed.

Maintain your car

Long road trips can take their toll on a vehicle, so if you are taking your own car on holiday, make sure that it is in good condition before you set off. Take care of any minor repairs that need to be done and perform basic maintenance checks on your tyres and fluids. If your regular car service is due any time soon, it might be a good idea to bring it forward. That way you will have total peace of mind when you set off.