6 tips for road trips
Work’s all done for the year, school’s out for summer, the weather’s set to warm up and, for many, that means one thing: road trip!
Hit the brakes, though. Before you pack up, pile into the car and hit the highway looking for adventure, there are a few things to think about.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says there are increased risks on the roads during the holiday season.
“Factors like congestion, driver fatigue, increased traffic and people driving in unfamiliar territory can all make driving more dangerous,” Mr Mountain says.
“More fatalities and accidents happen around Christmas than any other time of the year – and a lot are preventable.”
With that in mind, here’s some handy advice to consider before backing out of the driveway.
1. Car Check
Oil – check! Coolant topped up – check! Windscreen washer fluid full – check! Tyres, lights, brake fluid – check, check, check! Regular basic maintenance keeps your vehicle in tip-top shape. However, it’s even more important before heading off on a road trip.
Pop the bonnet and visually check the engine, running a careful eye over belts and hoses, looking for any fluid leaks. Generally, if something doesn’t look right, it isn’t, so get it checked out by a professional.
Take your car in for a service to make sure everything is running smoothly for long trips. RAA Approved Repairers will be able to pick up on any minor faults. The absolute last thing you want is to break down in the middle of nowhere (or anywhere, for that matter) on a 40 degree day when a little pre-trip attention could have prevented this.
2. Be prepared
The Scout motto applies to road trip prep, too. You want to be ready for any ‘what if’ scenarios. Keep a torch, gloves, old towel and rags, basic tool kit and two litres of water in your vehicle. Likewise, make sure you pack a well-stocked first-aid kit, and maybe a fire extinguisher just in case.
Getting a flat tyre is an inconvenience. They’re even more painful when you’ve got things to see and do. So have a spare tyre that’s pumped up a jack and the correct wheel brace for your car.
If your vehicle has special wheel nuts that require an adaptor make sure you have this as well. Despite what many people think, it’s not a legal requirement to have a spare in your car. However, if you do, it must be roadworthy. That is a legal requirement.
Fingers crossed, you won’t have to call RAA Road Service for help, but if you do, make sure your RAA membership is up to date. Maybe even consider an upgrade for better coverage.
3. Pack properly
There are two parts to this advice.
Part one: Collect everything you need and put it in a pile. Clothes, camping gear, screen devices, bikes, boogie boards, and the rest. Check, double-check, triple-check, then put a stamp on top. This way, you won’t get that sinking feeling that you’ve left something behind.
Don’t forget the kids! If using a child restraint, make sure it is adjusted for the child and the seatbelt is attached and firm. No luggage should interfere with the top tether.
Part two: Pack the car. Firstly, remove anything from the pile that you don’t need. It’s just taking up prime luggage real estate.
Now, how are your Tetris skills? Trying to fit everything in your boot can be an absolute nightmare of a puzzle. Make sure you don’t stack items too high as they could obscure your rear vision.