With the schools now breaking up for the summer holidays and the sun beginning to show its face, we will all soon be jumping into our cars to seek sun-kissed pastures along the coast. Staying safe whilst on these trips is a prime concern, so what measures should you take to make sure you have a summer holiday success?
Driving your family to the coast for a day or weekend adventure is something which we are all likely to do over the summer period. Such trips provide a great opportunity for family fun and the last thing you want to encounter are car related troubles whilst making your way down the M23 to Brighton.
Be Prepared
Before starting out on any long-distance car journey make sure that you check the key elements responsible for your cars operation and performance. Check the water levels, tyre pressure and condition, oil levels, brake fluid and fuel levels. Make sure that you set out with a full tank of fuel and fill up at services along the way if need be.
Get Directions
Before you set out on your journey make sure you know where you are going! Sat navs are great inventions but you should always make sure you have some written directions as well just in case you encounter problems with your new technology or accidentally take a wrong turn. Having a rough idea of where you are going before you set out will help to make the journey more relaxed and pleasant and could prevent accidents from occurring because you are more focused on your sat nav than the road.
Slow and Steady
You are not setting a Guinness World Record for the quickest car journey to the coast, so don’t rush! Take your time to make sure that you follow directions properly and remain calm and relaxed – after all, the whole point of this trip is to relax and have fun, not to have a nervous breakdown behind the wheel.
You should also make sure you take adequate breaks. As a general rule if you have been driving for longer than 2 hours then you should have a rest but if you feel you need to take breaks more often then do so.
Breaks from driving don’t just stop you from feeling sleepy but are also important in letting you stretch your legs and relax. Concentrating on motorway traffic and directions is strenuous so you need to make sure you take a regular break to ensure you are in top condition for your journey.
Don’t Forget Insurance
Always remember to keep your car insurance up to date, if you find that yours is up for renewal then consider getting online car insurance in order to get your cover quickly and easily. Consider looking at extra features you may require for your trip, such as contents insurance for all of your personal belongings that are travelling with you or adding another driver to your policy in order to share the car whilst away. All of these factors can be taken into account when receiving an online car insurance quote, so make sure you consider everything you need.