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Summer is the best season for a long road trip with your family. Why not make the most of the remainder of summer by planning that a family road trip the kids. A road trip is a great way to spend quality time together, see some sites and have an family adventure. However, the hassle of it doesn’t always sound very appealing. These tips below are worth considering before you hit the road.
- Prepare your vehicle so it is road ready. Check the oil, battery and tyre pressure. If you’re not sure what to do, pop into your local garage and have a qualified mechanic to look at your vehicle.
- Devices down and focus on the road. Don’t use your mobile phone when you are driving.
- Don’t be too chatty. Talking to passengers can be as distracting as talking on the phone. If you are duty driver make sure your main focus is the road.
- Don’t eat and drive. Eating whilst driving is distracting so stayed focus and if you need to eat. Stop and snack instead.
- Take regular rests Especially on long drives and restrict night-time driving. Tiredness and decreased visibility make its harder to be safe behind the wheel and respond quickly to sudden changes.
- Watch out for children. In the school holidays it’s more important than ever to watch for kids playing on the street and out and about on their bikes. Children don’t always have great road sense and their behaviour can be unpredictable so stay extra alert.
- Expect the unespected. If you are heading out on a long road trip, prepare for the unexpected by packing these items in your car:
- Mobile phone and car charger
- First aid kit
- Torch
- Flares
- Jump leads
- Candles and matches
- Non-perishable food items, such as granola bars
- Water
- Blankets
- Loo roll & tissues
- Paper bags for rubbish and sick (just in case)
- Journey Plan Google maps and sat navs require signal and can make errors. Know where you are heading before you leave and print of a hard copy of the route just in case you find yourself lost with no signal. Or keep a road atlas in your car as a back up.
- Cash for the car Keep a pot of loose change in the car so you are not caught short for parking and tolls. It’s better to pay a little up front then a lot in a fine
- Watch your speed There are speed cameras dotted around the country avoid points and fine by keeping to the speed limit at all times.
Hopefully these top tips will help keep you safe this summer
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