3 December 2013

Council’s 10 tips to be safe on the roads this summer

The holiday season is nearly here and Waikato District Council Road Safety Co-ordinator Megan Jolly says all she wants for Christmas is for everyone to be safe on the roads this summer. To help make that happen here’s her list of how to be safe on the road.

•          Now’s the time to start planning for road trips – short or long. It’s a good idea to get your car checked out mechanically, especially tyres before you set off on your trip. Underinflated tyres will eat up the petrol, increase wear and tear on the tyre and can affect braking.
 
•          Over inflated tyres can also cause problems compromising vehicle handling  and affecting braking. Check tyre pressure when they’re cold and don’t forget the spare tyre.
 
•          When setting out on your journey schedule regular breaks especially if travelling more than two hours. A short ten minute break is best – have coffee breaks or just a short walk to stretch the legs before continuing on your journey. The kids probably need a toilet stop too!
 
•          Remember to drive fresh. Catch up on lost sleep before you set out and if you do feel tired while you’re driving pull over and have a ten to 20 minute power nap.
•          Driving while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving after drinking alcohol. Another suggestion is to schedule your trip to avoid driving during normal sleep hours.
•          Allow extra time in your schedule. This is one of the busiest times to travel and patience and flexibility is needed.
•          Drive to the conditions. Differing road conditions may require you to go slower than usual. For example, you may need to slow down on rural roads where there are more hazards.
•          Slow vehicles can be a hazard too. If you’re towing a boat or trailer please pull over when it’s safe and let cars pass. Impatient drivers make silly decisions.
•          If you’ve been drinking alcohol it’s probably best to let someone else do the driving. Remember if you’ve been drinking the night before it could still affect your driving the next morning.
•          And finally, seat belts on back and front for all passengers. You could also consider a seatbelt for your animals.

ENDS

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