Tips for Your Road Safety

We want you to have a memorable holiday, so these simple guidelines will give you extra incentive to keep you and your family safe on the road as you head out to enjoy many days of freedom in your rental car. Road safety is advertised without reservation on most highways, so there is no excuse not to buckle up and slow down. These are the basic laws of safe driving. It is not only for your own safety but the lives of those travelling with you and those in cars around you.

Before you turn the ignition key, check all occupants of the car have their seatbelts fastened, especially the little ones. This one vital step could be a life or death decision. Tailgating is unacceptable, and is the cause of much unnecessary road rage. Be patient, and if you need to overtake, make sure you are driving on single lines and you have a clear view of any oncoming traffic. It is more sensible to wait a few extra minutes than risk many lives for the sake of a kilometre or two.

There are plenty of rest stops on most highways that give you a chance to have a coffee and freshen up. With so many incidences of fatigue as the reason for collisions, it makes sense to pull over if you are starting to doze off. If there is a lot of driving ahead, make plans to share with another licensed driver if there is one in your travelling party. When you are planning your travel itinerary, give yourself a night or two accommodation to break up the journey, and slow down. It is not a race. My husband is on a mission to get from A to B every time we set out on a road trip. If we have to stop I catch him staring woefully at the trucks we all passed a few minutes ago. Better to enjoy the holiday and come to an amicable compromise instead of speeding and putting people at risk.

Never drink and drive. This is one of the highest causes of road fatalities and is completely unnecessary. Also put the mobile phone in your bag and keep it there. You wouldn't read a book while you are driving; neither should you operate a phone as it causes the same distractions and miscalculations as if you were falling asleep or over the limit.

Checking for water and oil and keeping an eye on the instrument panel is imperative, as well as keeping an eye on the tyres, especially for long trips. If you are in any doubt pull over to a service station to ensure you haven't missed anything. Also ensure that there are no loose items which can roll around the car and cause distractions and/or unnecessary damage.

Be careful in the wet. If it is heavy rain, switch on your headlights so other vehicles will not miss you. Slow down or pull over if necessary as the roads can get slippery and there is the chance of dips in the road and flooding. Also be careful in the heat. There have been increasing reports of children who have been unattended in vehicles with the windows wound up on a hot day. This is life threatening. The solution is to not leave them in the car, and keep your windows down if it is hot.

Travel games are lots of fun, but be careful the driver is not distracted by too much noise, and keep activities well away from the driver's seat. Games of 'I spy' are great for everyone else, but it's difficult to look around the car and surrounding scenery when you are supposed to be watching the road.

Lastly, there are a number of essentials that you should bring on all road trips, to ensure you are prepared for a smooth running and enjoyable holiday. Drinking water is a must, as is a torch and first aid kit. Keep a bag with changes of clothes and extra food if you are planning a day trip somewhere, and a warm blanket in the back seat. Keep all the information you need to call for an emergency, as well as yours and a family members contact details if someone else needs to contact you in an emergency. Locality maps and tourist information will all help you plan well for a safer and enjoyable holiday for everyone.

Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit Car Hire Australia