April 2, 2012
With the Easter school holidays starting tomorrow the RACQ is urging motorists to take time to prepare for road trips to maximise the safety of their families, friends and other road users.
RACQ Executive Manager for Technical and Safety Policy, Steve Spalding, said that by taking a few simple steps to adequately plan a trip and prepare their vehicle, motorists could avoid problems that could ruin a holiday – or worse, lead to tragedy.
Mr Spalding said motorists should make it a priority to keep their car services up-to-date and carry out the following checks before embarking on a journey:
- The vehicle’s lights are working properly
- The windscreen is clean and not chipped, cracked or scratched
- Windscreen wipers and washers are functioning well
- Tyres, including the spare, have adequate tread and are inflated to the correct pressure
- Engine oil and coolant are topped up to the correct level.
Mr Spalding said it was also important vehicles and trailers were packed safely – and not overloaded – with all items secured, allowing the driver a clear view through the rear window at all times.
In the event of severe weather warnings, the trip should be delayed or an overnight stopover included, and flooded areas should be avoided.
“Allow plenty of time to complete the journey so you don’t need to rush, and mark out your planned rest stops on a map,” Mr Spalding said.
“You should take a rest break of at least 15 minutes every two hours.
“Make sure all your passengers are wearing their seatbelts and that young children are safely restrained. Come up with some good ideas for keeping children occupied so they don’t distract the driver and, when possible, share the driving with a passenger.”
Mr Spalding said it was important to be wary of signs of fatigue such as drowsiness, lack of concentration, and a tendency to make mistakes.
“No matter how well you look after your car, a breakdown is possible, so include some spare time in your schedule to allow for delays,” he said.
“If a problem, such as overheating, becomes apparent, don’t ignore it but pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and call for assistance. Although the delay may seem an inconvenience, addressing the problem immediately can save time and money in the long run.”
