1. Drive fresh and well rested to avoid an accident: Fatigue related road accidents remain high on the statistics list during holiday periods. Some simple do’s and don’ts that will ensure you and your family arrive safely include:
- Get atleast 7-8 hours sleep prior to a long drive, this is essential and there are no shortcuts to ensuring your biological batteries are fully charged
- Take a break every 2 hours even if you feel fine. Take advantage of the numerous rest areas rest areas provided in all states across the country. Swap drivers as well if at all possible
- Strive to drive when you are normally awake. Attempting all night drives adds greatly to the risk of an accident if you are ordinarily asleep during the same hours
- Insist on avoiding alcohol altogether; even drinking to legal limits is likely to cause fatigue and loss of concentration very quickly
- Oil, water and other essential fluids as per the car manual (usually performed using the dip sticks and associated markings).
- Have the health of your battery checked by your local mechanic
- Feel the wear marks on your tyres to ensure that they are safe to drive on. Also, check your car’s tool kit and spare wheel
- Check the tyre pressure of all wheels when cool
- Carry a small supply of water and non perishable food in the event of a night time break down. Whether you have roadside assistance or not, have handy the number the NRMA and interstate equivalents.
- Plan well in advance your most convenient route. Take a road map in addition to your GPS in case there is a failure in its operation.
- Drive courteously and avoid on road confrontations. Maintain at least a 3-4 second gap when on the free way.