Holiday driving safety tips

As the warmer weather draws near, that means one thing: road trip season is nearly here. Ahead of your summer trips, we wanted to share a few driver safety tips so you can enjoy the journey – with minimal speed bumps.

Whether you’re taking a familiar route or a new one, planning remains essential. Even routes you travel often can face road closures and changes to service station opening hours. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead, making sure your route includes a petrol station (or recharging station) and toilet facilities.

Even the best laid plans can fall apart, so make sure to allow for holdups and delays when you’re planning your itinerary. Remember – frustration and rushing isn’t good for road safety, so try to be flexible and factor in extra time to prevent stress.

According to The Highway Code, you should try to take at least one 15-minute break every two hours so you can take a comfort break and get a drink or snack.

We can never be certain what the weather’s going to do, but it is a good idea to check the forecast to get a rough idea of what to expect – and what to pack.

For a long car journey, you want your passengers to have entertainment. Before the trip, charge all your smart devices, sort any playlists, and make sure everything – snacks included – is in a place that’s easily accessible for everyone.

If you or anyone in the car needs medication – like inhalers, EpiPens and insulin pumps – keep them close to hand. If you’re the driver and you take antihistamine, just double check that they don’t cause drowsiness.

We all share the roads, so a little care goes a long way. Cyclists, motorbikes, caravans, buses and HGVs – everyone has the same right to be there. That’s why it’s important to give people the space they need, always check your blind spots, keep a safe distance, and use your indicators in good time.

This one’s simple but important: know your drink limits and stay well within them. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, whereas it’s 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres in Scotland. If you’ve had a drink, make sure to leave plenty of time for the alcohol to fully leave your system before getting behind the wheel.

It’s your responsibility to keep your vehicle roadworthy – and it’s worth taking seriously. Driving an unsafe vehicle can lead to a £2,500 fine, three penalty points and even a driving ban. The government has a detailed list of simple checks you can carry out yourself, but if you’re not confident or would simply prefer the peace of mind, you can always book a quick safety check at your local garage first.