Stay safe over festive season
MOST of us travel at some stage at this time of year, and sharing the road with what can feel like the entire population can be stressful. This week’s tips from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, give advice on driving over the festive period. 1. Try and avoid setting off at peak times such as early afternoon. Don’t forget to check for weather or traffic-related updates so you can allow more time to travel. 2. If you’re travelling a long distance then take into consideration that the weather in one region may not be the same as another. So plan for the whole length of your journey and take note of what the weather is like closer to your destination. 3. Before you set off, make sure your friends and family know where you are going and your expected time of arrival. Try to be as realistic as possible so they are not worrying about you if you get a little late, and always ensure you have enough fuel as some garages can close early. 4. Packing the car can leave you fraught. Make a check list of everything you need and try to ensure there are no loose parcels that could turn into missiles in the event of having to brake in an emergency. 5. Family pets pick up on excitement; remember they need seatbelts or a method of restraint too. Keep them away from where you pack the chocolate and mince pies as both are really bad for dogs and you don’t want to spoil the festivities with a large vet bill. 6. Make sure you take regular rest breaks but avoid leaving valuable gifts on show by locking them away out of sight in the boot. 7. If you’re too tired to drive then delay your journey. And if you begin to feel tired on your journey, then take a rest break. A coffee and a 20- minute stop are the bare minimum to help you stay alert. In any case, your journey should be planned with breaks every two hours. 8. If the party went on into the early hours then make sure you are not over the limit ‘the morning after’. You need at least one hour to remove each unit of alcohol from your body. Don’t risk it! For more information about driving the morning after, check our website at www.iamroadsmart.com.
Richard said: “Careful planning and preparation can ensure your drive is a safe and smooth one.
“So long as you give yourself extra time at this busy time of year, your journey home doesn’t need to be as arduous.
“We all look forward to spending time with loved ones so let’s all do our bit to make it a safe one.”