With the holiday season on the way, you are likely planning trips with family and friends. But holiday driving is often considered to be a challenge, what with a large number of vehicles traveling during this time. There is also a greater risk of accidents. To protect yourself, here are some essential holiday driving tips when heading out.
Holiday driving tip no. 1: Know the right time to drive
With the volume of traffic expected during the season, planning the time of your trip is the first safety driving tip. Navigation app provider Waze noted in its 2017 traffic data that the volume of cars plying Manila’s streets grows by as much as 10 percent compared to previous months. The company says the traffic level approaches its peak during the days leading to Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.
Waze says the best time to travel if you have a trip on Dec. 24 is after 5 PM. On the other hand, if you are traveling on the 31st, it is best to head out after 12 PM. For your Christmas (Dec. 25) and New Year (Jan. 1) trip, you might want to head out 4 PM and 3 PM respectively.
Note that these are just recommended times. Often, your actual trip itinerary might not match the indicated periods. In this case, anticipate the best times based on your experience during regular days. Monitoring the traffic situation going into the day of your trip will also help you better time it.
Holiday driving tip no. 2: Do basic maintenance on your car
If you look at the report of accidents during the holidays, you will notice that many of them are often attributed to malfunctioning parts like brakes. As such, it is always a good idea to run your car under a thorough maintenance check. This is especially the case when you are planning to go on a long trip to the provinces.
Some of the important maintenance work to do are:
- Tire inspection: Check the tread depth and condition of the sidewalls. You also need to ensure that each tire is at the correct pressure.
- Mechanical issues: See to it that your brakes are in good condition and respond immediately. You would also want to have your steering inspected for any issues.
- Automotive fluid check: Refill all the fluids that are below the recommended levels, such as the brake and gearbox fluid. Also look for leaks in your car’s pipes and hoses.
- Motor oil check: See when the last time you had an oil change was. If you are nearly due for a change, do it before your trip.
Do your maintenance check at least a week before your trip. This way, you will have enough time to send it over to an automotive repair shop as needed. Never use your car without the repairs being completed.
Holiday driving tip no. 3: Keep the kids safe
Since you will often be taking your kids on your holiday drive, you need to make sure that they are safe and secured. Keep in mind that children aged 12 and under should be seated at the rear of the car. The smaller ones should be strapped in a child seat secured to the passenger seat. They should always be accompanied by an adult or older children who will be able to handle them.
It would also be a good idea to bring different books, toys, or gadgets to keep them busy. Children can become bored and agitated when on a long trip, which is distracting. Make a stopover from time to time to stock up on snacks and give them some needed stretching and rest.
Holiday driving tip no. 4: Secure your car
One of the unseen dangers when out holiday driving are loose objects lying around the card. They can be very distracting as they jostle around when the car is moving. Worse, they can become projectiles that can cause injuries.
Ensure that you don’t have any loose object on top of the dash or on the floor. You also need to make sure your glove compartment is locked and that there are no objects there that can come undone.
You also need to secure your cargo properly. Use a sturdy piece of rope or cable to tie it down in the trunk of the car. As is with the dashboard, make sure that there are no loose objects placed on top.
Aside from accidents, you would also want to protect yourself from thieves. Ensure that your valuables and other items are not visible from the windows. Also keep the different compartments of your car locked. When leaving, it would be better to take the important stuff with you.
Bes safe this season with these driving tips
Holiday driving with your family and friends is a great experience for everyone. By following the safety driving tips listed here, you can be sure that you will arrive at your destination safe and sound. Hop aboard and enjoy that trip.