If you’re about to embark on a long car journey, then doing a little bit of preparation can often improve the likelihood of it going smoothly. But exactly what steps might you take? Let’s consider five of the most effective ones.
Plan Your Journey and Rest Breaks in Advance
To begin with, you’ll need to plan your journey fairly meticulously – but not so meticulously that it becomes rigid and restrictive. If there’s a problem on the road ahead, you might need to plot a route around it – or have your preferred navigation app do it for you. If you’re confident that you know the area, this may be a great deal less stressful.
When planning your route, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve allowed time for you to stop every so often to refuel, and refresh your mind. This is particularly important if you’re driving hundreds of miles, as the danger of fatigue might be considerable.
Conduct a Full Vehicle Inspection
Before setting out, you’ll want to make sure that your vehicle is in excellent condition. Look at the pressure of your tyres, your oil levels, and your lights. You should also look at the tread depth on your tyres, which might impact your stopping distance in wet conditions. Take corrective action where appropriate. If you’re unsure of yourself, you might schedule a full service from a professional mechanic, so that you can enjoy maximum peace of mind.
Pack an Emergency Kit and Essentials
If you have the right emergency kit, then you’ll be better able to cope when unexpected events get in the way of your trip. Make sure that you have a well-stocked kit in your car, including a first-aid kid, jump leads, a jack, a spare tyre, and a torch. In this situation, temporary car insurance can provide assistance and roadside support, too.
Stay Alert and Take Regular Breaks
As we’ve mentioned, spending too long on the road can cause fatigue, which will slow your reaction times and drive up the risk of your being involved in an accident. Make sure that you look after your mind and your body, and that you stop every few hours to refresh yourself. Hydration is also vital for concentration, so make sure that there’s a bottle of water to hand.
Monitor Weather and Traffic Conditions
One factor that’s difficult to control is the weather, which can in some cases cause significant delays. Make sure that you check the forecast before setting out, and that you know whether you’re going to run into congestion along the way. It might be that you need to set out early in order to arrive on time.
