Becky Guy, our Road Safety Manager, England offers her advice on preparing your vehicle for a long drive.

Holiday season is here and if you plan to use your car for all or part of your journey, you’ll want to take a look at our tips about preparing for that vacation drive. Most road crashes are caused, or partly caused, by human error, so take time to prepare yourself, your route and your vehicle for the journey. 

Prepare yourself

Consider whether you, as the driver, are ready for the journey. Ask yourself if you are: 

• Well enough for the drive, or should someone else do it? 
• Taking any medication that advises you not to drive 
• Undergoing any medical treatment which your doctor has said you shouldn’t drive while taking it. 

You should also be considering the potential for driver fatigue. You’re at more risk of being involved in a collision because of being tired if you are driving when you would normally be asleep – especially in the early hours of the morning or in the dark, or in the early afternoon, especially after eating a moderate to heavy meal or after drinking any alcohol. 

Even if you do not think you will fall asleep while you are driving, tiredness can slow your reactions and affect your judgement, significantly increasing the chances of crashing. Coping mechanisms such as singing, turning the radio up, opening a window or using air-conditioning, will not keep you awake. At best, they will give you a few extra minutes to find somewhere safe to stop.  

Ensure that you are well-rested and that you take regular breaks during your journey. 

Prepare your route