That time of the year is upon us when many motorists will be travelling on the highway towards some holiday destination. The traffic volume will increase substantially, and so will the risk of collision. Taking note of some tips shown below should minimise the risk of accidents.1
Are you paying attention to the road signs? 1
Every motorist must obey road signs, which are there for a reason. Ignoring them could lead to severe consequences. In addition, you don’t want to compromise any accident claims.
Plan your route1
It is essential to carefully study the route you are about to take. From the distances involved, you can plan when to have a break from driving and when to refuel. Don’t set your expectations too high regarding your arrival time, and so allow yourself enough time to enjoy the journey at a comfortable speed.
How is your car performing? 1
After all, your car plays a vital role for you to enjoy your holiday and not endure it. That is why it is crucial to have the vehicle serviced regularly and that any necessary repairs are done before going on holiday. Also, make sure all lights, indicators, brakes, wipers, and tyres are in order. Finally, every component of your car needs to be in roadworthy condition, not only the above parts.
Avoid overloading the car1
The car’s handbook will tell you how heavy a load it can carry. Overloading can seriously impair the steering capability of the vehicle, as well as stress the suspension and tyres. Remember, the heavier the car, the longer it will take to stop in an emergency.
Avoid night driving1
Many holidaymakers understandably would like to start early on a long journey and drive in the dark before the sun rises. Remember, you can only see as far in front of you according to the length of the headlight beams. As a result, potholes and other obstacles on the road can’t be spotted as quickly as is the case during the day.
Are you well rested? 1
It is dangerous to start your journey at night after only a few hours of sleep. Your brain can suddenly switch off later on, and you begin to fall asleep at the wheel. Driving requires much concentration, and according to miningsafety.co.za1 it’s best to take a break every 2 hours.
Never drink and drive1
The law is uncompromising with those drinking and driving, and this behaviour must be avoided under any circumstance. Remember to drive defensively and courteously.
Watch out for other drivers and pedestrians1
Stay alert and don’t be distracted while driving. Take note of those motorists driving dangerously and without respect for the law. Watch out also for pedestrians who can suddenly appear on the road from nowhere.
Observe the speed limit and your following distance1
Speed limit signs are there for your protection. Maintain a safe following distance to avoid rear-end crashes.
These are just a few of the many tips that could be discussed. Unfortunately, despite careful driving, accidents do occur. Before going on holiday, are you sure your car is adequately protected? Do you have car insurance cover? Does your car insurance policy provide the level of cover you need at the price you can afford? Contact PMD for more information about their affordable car insurance products.
1https://www.miningsafety.co.za/road-safety-tips-for-the-festive-season/
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.