Easter is almost here, and you know what that means- more people on the roads than usual. This is the time where many of us are travelling throughout the country to visit friends and family or to take a few days off and enjoy the holiday.
Many people can feel a little exhausted at the idea of driving over the holidays. Like it or not, it always seems like the crazy drivers are out, and no one wants to end up in an accident over Easter weekend.
Here are some tips for staying safe on the roads this Easter
Leave earlier
When we’re stressed out and running late, we tend to be caught up in the anxiety of the moment and are more likely to make mistakes. You may be silently fuming that your significant other or kids took far too long to get ready and now you’re going to be stuck in traffic and late.
The best way to solve this problem is to set your “leave the house” deadline for half an hour (or an hour) earlier than you think you need to. If you get to your destination early, you can stop close by and grab a coffee or an early lunch, but the drive will be much more pleasant and you’ll be able to concentrate more if you’re not running late.
Check your car
This should ideally be done a few days before you go away, as that will give you enough time to take care of any problems in the meantime. Take a stroll around the outside of the car, check your brake lluid, oil, petrol, water, and the tread and pressure of your tyres. Check that your break lights and indicators are working, and you don’t have any leaks.
Rest up
While Easter weekend is a great time to catch up with friends and family members, you’ll need to make sure you get a good sleep the night before you drive. There will be more cars on the road, which means more room for error, and the kids may be hyped up on too much chocolate which can be distracting. Head to bed early and the drive will be much more manageable (and safe).
Split it up
Split up the trip into a number of stops. The first stop could be for a cup of coffee, the next for lunch, and the third for a bathroom break for example. This gives everyone a chance to get out of the car and stretch their legs, while the driver can rest their eyes and let their attention wander for a few minutes. By leaving a little earlier than planned, you’ll have plenty of time for breaks, and the whole family will thank you for it.
While all of these tips will help you stay safe, unfortunately we can’t control others on the road. If you’re ever involved in an accident get in touch with Slater & Gordon to find out your rights and responsibilities.
