We’ve teamed up with highway security and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Help to supply a collection of safer driving ideas for the 12 days of Christmas.
The pressures of the festive season imply it’s typically straightforward to let good habits slip, so now is a perfect time to recollect the significance of staying protected on our vacation journeys.
Brushing up on these 12 wise reminders for safer driving may make the distinction between a beautiful Christmas and a not-so-happy ending….
1) Assume forward and ebook a taxi residence. Should you’re going to be out celebrating this Christmas, there may be one easy rule to recollect – drink OR drive. Don’t drive should you’re ingesting, and don’t drink should you’re driving.
2) All the time put on your seatbelt. Carrying your seatbelt, as a driver or passenger, is the one simplest method to save your life or cut back your accidents should you’re concerned in a crash. So, irrespective of how far you’re driving, all the time belt up.
3) Preserve excited kids protected. It’s actually essential to make sure kids are seen in the event that they’re strolling by darkish roads. And should you’re all within the automobile, make sure that everybody’s seatbelt (and restraint) are appropriately fitted… even the older kids who you’d normally belief to take action themselves.
4) Driving residence for Christmas? Plan your journeys prematurely. No one desires to get caught out in visitors or dangerous climate, so a bit of advance planning goes a good distance. If the climate’s dangerous, postpone a visit if attainable. Hearken to climate forecasts to keep away from getting caught out by sudden modifications within the situations.
5) Decelerate this Christmas. At the moment of yr, we regularly discover ourselves dashing from one place to a different. However relating to driving, dashing can do extra hurt than good. Nobody else can inform you how briskly to drive – it’s your duty. So keep protected, give your self loads of time and area to cease if you want to.
6) Don’t drive drained. Take into consideration the way you’re feeling earlier than you hit the highway. Perhaps you’ve been out celebrating or up till the early hours wrapping presents – regardless of the motive, should you’re drained then please don’t drive. Fatigued drivers take longer to react to hazards. Scale back festive fatigue by constructing in time for breaks on journeys. Additionally, share the driving if attainable.
7) Taking remedy? Be prepared to remain out of the driving seat should you’re utilizing medicines that would make you drowsy, as these can impair your potential to react to hazards. It’s price noting that you just don’t should be on unlawful medicine to be unfit to drive. All the time test the label for warnings, and if not sure please prepare for someone else to take the wheel.
8) Verify your tyres earlier than setting off. Each security system in your automobile depends upon your tyres working successfully in an emergency. Effectively-maintained tyres can save your life, so take no dangers and test them earlier than you set off, notably on lengthy journeys.
9) Steer away from e-scooter presents. They could look enjoyable and quick, however privately-owned e-scooters can solely be used on non-public land – not on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements… one thing to think about fastidiously should you’re fascinated about shopping for one as a present this Christmas.
10) Banish festive household distractions. Lengthy automobile journeys might be tedious and infrequently require a little bit of effort to maintain everybody entertained. As driver, cut back the danger of distractions by encouraging passengers – particularly kids – to allow you to deal with the driving. In return, give them the prospect to let off steam throughout a break or at journey’s finish.
11) Be careful for teenagers on new bikes. A brand new bike is a well-liked reward at Christmas and what youngster can resist a spin on a sensible new set of wheels? As a driver, count on to suppose – and act – for others who’re much less conscious of threat.
12) New cell phone for Christmas? Fortunate you! However please keep in mind to not use it if you’re driving. Focus solely on the journey and cut back your dangers, and save your scrolling till you’re safely parked with the engine off and the important thing out.
