Holidays are a time for family visits, relaxing vacations, and plenty of recharge time. However, they're also a time when roads become very busy and jammed, increasing the risk of accidents.
We want to look out for your safety if you're travelling during the holidays, so here are some helpful tips to ensure that you're taking care while out on the road. Just remember that if you need support or someone to talk to, our Sonder support team is available 24/7 to chat whenever you need it.
Plan your journey
With main highways and roads likely to be busy with traffic, and the potential of construction that may further delay travel time, it's best that you plan your route ahead of time. Be sure to choose the safest route while taking into consideration factors such as potential traffic blocks and new highways or roads. Double demerits are also enforced during long weekends, so always make sure to stick to your route's speed limits and obey all road rules.
With the risk of wet weather events and flood incidents, remember to never drive through any floodwater (even if you've got a 4WD) and consider using Sonder's 'Track my journey' feature so you'll get up-to-date notifications about any road closures due to flooding. Just remember to turn your location sharing and push notifications on!
Make sure the car is all prepped
Ensure your car is ready for the journey ahead so there will be less risk of a mechanical issue during your trip. Make sure to check up on things like tyre pressures, spare tyre, engine oil and coolant, and fuel tank levels.
Once your car is all ready for the trip, pack your car with non-essential items the night before your trip so you won't be stressing out on departure day. Try to avoid packing your luggage in broad daylight and in full view of everyone in order to not make it obvious that you're not home.
Rest up before setting off
Staying up late the night before a long drive is not a good idea as you'll be tired which will put yourself and others at a higher risk of an accident. Get a good night's sleep so you'll be well-rested and refreshed before your trip.
No devices or distractions
Phones, devices, and in-car entertainment are great for passengers but are dangerous distractions to the driver. Leave your phone aside until you stop for a break and let passengers handle the in-car entertainment. If you have to use your phone as a GPS, make sure it's on a secure phone mount on the centre of the windscreen.
Be realistic about traffic delays
It's easy to think everything will be alright when driving during the holidays and you'll be able to get to your destination on time. But it's best to take a measured and considered approach to your trip. Accept that traffic will be worse than usual due to the increased number of cars on the road and that your best-laid travelling plans may end up being delayed because of it. To avoid this, take some extra time off before and after your trip to ensure you're rested before starting your drive.
Remember to take breaks
Make sure to take a break from driving every couple of hours. It's easy to think that you can push through it but it poses a risk to you and your passengers' safety. Stop for food and toilet breaks whenever necessary, and try to swap drivers if possible during longer trips to minimise any risks.
If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.
Information sourced from: NRMA
Image credit: Orkun Azap at Unsplash
All content is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional.