Everyone loves to go on holiday and lie on a sunny beach in front of the beautiful ocean. We can avoid dealing with some nasty incidents while on the way to our holiday destination by following some top road safety tips.1
- Stay in the road before opening the gate
When you arrive at your accommodation point, stop in the road before opening the gate. This is to prevent criminals from trapping you by parking their car behind yours.
- Lock car doors and close windows
Fortunately, modern cars today automatically lock the doors when driving off, but you must still ensure all windows are closed. If you need some air, perhaps don’t open a window wider than a fist. Remove all valuables from the car’s interior when you are leaving the vehicle.
- Leave enough space in front of your car
When you come to a stop behind a car at a traffic light or intersection, leave sufficient space between your vehicle and the one in front. In this way, you should have enough room to manoeuvre if anyone attacks your vehicle.
- What should I look out for while on the road?
At traffic lights and other intersections, stay alert for any human activity. Note where there are possible hiding spots behind bushes. Don’t be fooled by an ‘innocent-looking’ person standing in the road – he or she could be a decoy for criminals in hiding.
- Beware when you leave ATMs
Thieves lie in wait for those who have just drawn money from an ATM and follow them to their home. Ensure no one is following you when you have withdrawn money, but, if so, drive to the nearest police station, garage, or shopping centre.
- Where should I park?
Avoid parking in isolated, lonely spots, instead aim for those parking lots with a boom and cameras. When you’ve parked your car, and locked the doors remotely with your key, always test them to see if they are locked. Thieves nearby could be trying to jam your signal.
- Stopping at a layby
Try to avoid stopping at such a place as it is usually on a remote stretch of road, where no one can come to your assistance or protect you from any danger. Aim at stopping at a huge garage situated just off the highway, which has all the facilities you may need.
- Can you get help quickly?
In emergencies, time is usually critical, and quick responses to your call could mean the difference between life and death. Make sure before going anywhere, that you have emergency numbers of your insurer’s 24-hour roadside assistance, police, and family located on your cell phone. Ensure your phone is always charged.
- What to do when you break down
Should it happen that you suddenly experience a flat tyre while going on holiday, stay inside the car with doors locked until roadside assistance arrives. Standing outside your car exposes you to greater danger.
- What if I have an accident?
Record all details of all those involved in the accident. Take as many pictures of the scene as possible. Within 24 hours, report everything to the police, who will provide you with an accident case number for insurance purposes.
Should you be involved in an accident while on holiday, you must have peace of mind to know that you are adequately covered. Contact PMD for affordable car insurance products, including unique benefits like premiums that never increase* and a reduce to zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Source:
1https://www.news24.com/wheels/arrive-safe/10-top-holiday-road-safety-tips-20141202
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