Your guide to safe driving this Christmas
Christmas is one of the busiest times for Australian drivers. It’s very likely that Australians will be hitting the road this holiday season to take a long-awaited holiday or visit loved ones they haven’t seen in months. In addition, the streets will be quite busy as many people will be doing last-minute shopping, attending festivities with friends or workplace events.
Car accidents are more likely to occur when there are more motorists on the road. To reduce the risk of car accidents, you should avoid the most common offences including:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication
- Speeding
- Driving while distracted
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Driving while fatigued
You should take precautions to guarantee your safety, the safety of anyone travelling with you, and other road users. We trust that our driving tips for Christmas will be very useful.
Plan your trip and rest breaks
For a safe trip, make sure you plan your trip itinerary and consider rest stops. Give yourself enough time to arrive at your destination. There is no need to drive at the maximum speed limit if it is potentially a road hazard.
Be extra alert of your surroundings
Driving long distances during the holiday season can become fatiguing. This makes it easy to get distracted or lose concentration.
Make sure you adjust your speed and increase the distance between your car and the vehicle in front if necessary. This extra distance helps you spot potential hazards such as potholes, roadkill or debris that could damage your tyres.
It’s important to be extra aware of your surroundings and pay extra attention to what other drivers are doing. Try to keep at least three to four seconds of distance between you and other drivers; add a few seconds if you’re towing close to your weight limit with a caravan or trailer.
Drive to traffic conditions
Consider the traffic and weather conditions. During the holiday season, traffic can become quite heavy, and you might need to slow down a bit.
Check the weather conditions in case it’s forecast to rain a lot or a storm is coming. Where possible, try to delay your journey until the bad weather conditions have passed. If it’s raining, drive to the conditions - slow down and turn your lights on. Always keep in mind that it’s better to arrive late than never.
Make sure your luggage is safely packed
Take some time to ensure your luggage is safely packed. Loose items can potentially cause deadly accidents or serious injuries.
Ensure your car is roadworthy
Inspect your vehicle to confirm it’s in good road condition before heading off on your Christmas holiday.
It’s important you check your tyres (spare tyre included), windscreen, brakes, and lights. If you don’t know what the condition of your car is, book an appointment with your local Tyrepower for a service.
While you’re getting your vehicle checked over, take a moment to check your registration status and insurance. Make sure that your vehicle and trailer are insured, check with your provider to ensure your accessories are listed and covered by your policy.
Get your tyres with Tyrepower WA
Consider your local Tyrepower store in Western Australia your ‘go-to’ destination not only for a great range of tyres but also for tyre care and maintenance, wheels, brakes, wheel alignments, mechanical servicing and more.
Our skilled mechanics and technicians are prepared to give your car the care it requires to keep you safe on your upcoming Christmas trip.