Those who’ve planned ahead are ready to hit the long road and take in some sightseeing. It is, after all, a great time to spend with family and friends.
While some of us see this as an opportunity to get some rest, thousands will be hitting the tar… And for those guys, it’s important to remember the dangers that lurk on the road that could derail your holiday happiness.
King Price's Wynand van Vuuren shares a few useful tips to keep the wheels turning and faces smiling this break:
1. Research your right turn
Impromptu trips may be fun but planned ones are better. Knowing where, when and how you’re going can take a lot of stress out of the arriving and when it comes to accommodation, remember that not all B&Bs are created equal. So, for peace of mind consider trusted sites like Airbnb or Trivago that publish ‘word of mouth’ from past holiday-makers to help you avoid a wrong-turn situation that might make you and your loved ones vulnerable.
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2. Take extra precaution
There’s no easy way to ensure we avoid accidents but the best you can do is to be extra cautious. Many car dealers offer free safety checks at this time of year and it’s a good idea to take advantage of one of these offers. If you have any doubt, play it safe and have your car properly checked.
Life is unpredictable enough as it is and a simple car check could keep you in the clear with your insurer should anything happen. It could even save a life.
3. Be vigilant
Prevention is always better than cure. Nothing can quite prepare one for the trauma of a hijacking, so during this time of the year keep an extra eye out for suspicious activity.
It’s very important to plan your route and let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive at your destination. It’s equally important to check the rear-view mirror regularly to make sure that you aren’t being followed.
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4. Eyes on the prize
Distracted driving is dangerous and it’s completely avoidable if you make the conscious commitment. With the increase in the popularity and availability of mobile devices, instances of distracted driving due to texting are increasing, and are having severely negative effects on our road safety. If your response really can’t wait, distract your backseat driver by getting him to respond for you. Or get a text-to-speech app… They let your phone read messages and emails to you out loud, and you can respond via voice command, so you can keep your eyes on the road.
5. Snooze alert
Driver fatigue is among the top three contributors to the road death toll. Research shows that fatigue can be as dangerous as other road safety issues such as speeding and drinking and driving. Remember, the only real cure for sleepiness is sleeping. A caffeine drink and a breath of fresh air, while stretching your legs are short term solutions that will only allow you to keep driving for a short while. So, plan your journey to ensure you get enough time between the covers.
Remember why you’re traveling to begin with. There are Easter eggs to be eaten, and braais to be braaied, so keep calm on your journey and enjoy the ride.
