| We want you to have a memorable holiday, so | | | | causes the same distractions and |
| these simple guidelines will give you extra | | | | miscalculations as if you were falling asleep |
| incentive to keep you and your family safe on | | | | or over the limit. |
| the road as you head out to enjoy many days | | | | |
| of freedom in your rental car. Road safety is | | | | Checking for water and oil and keeping an eye |
| advertised without reservation on the most | | | | on the instrument panel is imperative, as |
| highways, so there is no excuse not to buckle | | | | well as keeping an eye on the tyres, |
| up and slow down. These are the basic laws of | | | | especially for long trips. If you are in any |
| safe driving. It is not only for your own | | | | doubt pull over to a service station to |
| safety but the lives of those travelling with | | | | ensure you haven't missed anything. Also |
| you and those in cars around you. | | | | ensure that there are no loose items which |
| | | | can roll around the car and cause |
| Before you turn the ignition key, check all | | | | distractions and/or unnecessary damage. |
| occupants of the car have their seatbelts | | | | |
| fastened, especially the little ones. This | | | | Be careful in the wet. If it is heavy rain, |
| one vital step could be a life or death | | | | switch on your headlights so other vehicles |
| decision. Tailgating is unacceptable, and is | | | | will not miss you. Slow down or pull over if |
| the cause of much unnecessary road rage. Be | | | | necessary as the roads can get slippery and |
| patient, and if you need to overtake, make | | | | there is the chance of dips in the road and |
| sure you are driving on single lines and you | | | | flooding. Also be careful in the heat. There |
| have a clear view of any incoming traffic. It | | | | have been increasing reports of children who |
| is more sensible to wait a few extra minutes | | | | have been unattended in vehicles with the |
| than risk many lives for the sake of a | | | | windows wound up on a hot day. This is life |
| kilometre or two. | | | | threatening. The solution is to not leave |
| | | | them in the car, and keep your windows down |
| There are plenty of rest stops on most | | | | if it is hot. |
| highways that give you a chance to have a | | | | |
| coffee and freshen up. With so many | | | | Travel games are lots of fun, but be careful |
| incidences of fatigue as the reason for | | | | the driver is not distracted by too much |
| collisions, it makes sense to pull over if | | | | noise, and keep activities well away from the |
| you are starting to doze off. If there is a | | | | driver's seat. Games of 'I spy' are great for |
| lot of driving ahead, make plans to share | | | | everyone else, but it's difficult to look |
| with another licensed driver if there is one | | | | around the car and surrounding scenery when |
| in your travelling party. When you are | | | | you are supposed to be watching the road. |
| planning your travel itinerary, give yourself | | | | |
| a night or two accommodation to break up the | | | | Lastly, there are a number of essentials that |
| journey, and slow down. It is not a race. My | | | | you should bring on all road trips, to ensure |
| husband is on a mission to get from A to B | | | | you are prepared for a smooth running and |
| every time we set out on a road trip. If we | | | | enjoyable holiday. Drinking water is a must, |
| have to stop I catch him staring woefully at | | | | as is a torch and first aid kit. Keep a bag |
| the trucks we all passed a few minutes ago. | | | | with changes of clothes and extra food if you |
| Better to enjoy the holiday and come to an | | | | are planning a day trip somewhere, and a warm |
| amicable compromise instead of speeding and | | | | blanket in the back seat. Keep all the |
| putting people at risk. | | | | information you need to call for an |
| | | | emergency, as well as yours and a family |
| Never drink and drive. This is one of the | | | | members contact details if someone else needs |
| highest causes of road fatalities and is | | | | to contact you in an emergency. Locality maps |
| completely unnecessary. Also put the mobile | | | | and tourist information will all help you |
| phone in your bag and keep it there. You | | | | plan well for a safer and enjoyable holiday |
| wouldn't read a book while you are driving; | | | | for everyone. |
| neither should you operate a phone as it | | | | |