The Christmas holiday period is one of the highest risk times on Australian roads, with many people hitting the road to head off on a long-awaited getaway. With increased traffic volumes, driver distraction, end of year fatigue and driving in unfamiliar areas – this all result in a situation which can make driving substantially more dangerous than at other time of year. Safe-T-Tyre is Australia’s leader in high quality tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and on-road safety is our main priority. Before you and your family get behind the wheel and drive off into the sunset these Christmas holidays, consider the below tips to help you safely arrive at your destination.
Plan Ahead
Before you hit the highway, take a moment to plan your trip. Identify the safest route and work out places along the way where you can stop and rest. Keep in mind that the safest route may not be the quickest, but it’s worth sacrificing a little time to lower your risk of an accident or incident. If possible, plan to travel in non-peak traffic times, and plan to stop every 2 hours to get some fresh air and prevent driver fatigue.
Perform Pre-Travel Checks
Checking your vehicle is one of the simplest ways to ensure a safe trip. Make sure you check the tyre tread and tyre pressure, lights, windscreen wipers, brakes, engine oil, coolant and power steering fluid. It might even be worth having a full car service before you head off, especially if you have any concerns or are unsure about the condition of your car. While performing your checks, it is a great opportunity to install any devices which can help make your trip even safer. Products such as reversing cameras and tyre pressure monitoring systems are affordable, easy to install and can make a huge difference to the overall safety of your vehicle.
Check Trailers and Caravans
If you are heading off towing a trailer or caravan, ensure all attachments including chains and plugs are secure. Make sure brake and indicator lights are all in good working order and check the air pressure in the trailer or caravan tyres. TPMS are also available for caravans and trailers, so for the ultimate peace of mind consider purchasing one if you tow regularly.
Drive to the Conditions
Once you are on the road, it’s important that you take into consideration the weather. If it’s raining, take it slow. If it’s windy, be mindful of loads in your trailer or on your roof racks. Conditions doesn’t just mean the weather either, so be mindful of the traffic conditions, speed limits, children in the car, and your driving ability. If you are on country roads, use extra caution, there’s the potential for wildlife, potholes and farming machinery on the roads, all of which add an extra element of risk.
Be Aware of Fatigue
Tiredness is one of the major causes of fatal accidents on Australian roads each year. The 2021/2022 summer holiday season sees the end of a long 2 years of lockdowns, working from home and remote learning. Many people are exhausted and in desperate need of a holiday to recharge for the new year. Combining this with driving long hours on unfamiliar roads, the result can be a very tired driver. It’s important to get a good night’s sleep before you take off, take frequent breaks, take turns driving with another adult and if driving a long distance, plan to make the journey over a number of days.
Be Patient
Busy roads, traffic congestion, restless kids in the car asking ‘are we there yet?’ – holiday driving and road trips can be frustrating. Be patient and courteous. Traffic volumes increase during the holiday period and there’s often larger, slower vehicles and those towing trailers, caravans and boats. Follow at a safe distance, don’t over take unless it is absolutely safe, and make use of overtaking lanes where possible. It’s also important that you aren’t provoked by other another driver’s aggressive behaviour, we all want to get where we are going but we all want to arrive alive too
Keep safety at the forefront of your mind and you can significantly increase your chances of arriving safely at your destination. Take care on the roads and enjoy a fun and exciting road trip with your family or friends.
Stay Safe with a TPMS from Safe-T-Tyre
Your safety is our priority. That’s why we have made it our mission to make high quality, reliable tyre pressure monitoring systems accessible to all vehicles across Australia. Installing a Safe-T-Tyre TPMS ensures that you never have to drive on underinflated tyres without knowing it, keeping you and your family safer on the road. Get yours today online or get in touch with us by calling 1800 876 700.