Driving home for Christmas | Holiday survival guide
Posted on Tuesday, 17 December 2024 under Wellness
The holiday season can be a great opportunity to relax and enjoy time with your family and friends.
Many people travel during the holiday period. Driving can be stressful because the roads are busier, the traffic slower, it can be hot and there’s often end-of-year tiredness. People on holiday can let their guard down when it comes to road safety.
Driving can be less stressful if you take a little time to make sure that you and your vehicle are safe before hitting the road. Plan ahead, schedule rest stops and allow plenty of time – make the journey part of the holiday. Here are some tips to help you travel safely during the break:
Courtesy
Be courteous and show consideration to other road users. Obey the rules of the road. Plan your travel to avoid known traffic jam spots and keep calm.
Speeding
Excessive speed is a major cause of road accidents. Drive within the speed limit at all times and to the conditions.
Maintain the gap
Make sure you have a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front, so you have enough time to stop suddenly if you need to.
Keep left
Keep to the left at all times unless overtaking, and then only if you can see 100 metres of clear road ahead of you once you have finished passing.
Seatbelts
Wear your seatbelt at all times, and ensure every passenger is securely restrained. Pay particular attention to children, and don’t forget to secure pets or loose items.
Fatigue
Get adequate rest and a good night’s sleep before setting off on a long road trip. Avoid driving at times you would normally be asleep, late at night or early morning are high risk times for fatigue crashes. If you’re fatigued, pass the driving over to another driver, if they’re less fatigued, or quickly find a safe area where you can pull over to have a short powernap - 20 minutes is recommended.
