Our Top Tips For Planning A Road Trip12/8/2025  Here are some pointers to stay safe on the roads as you plan your holidays:- 1. Stay alert behind the wheel – It is important to prepare for your trip mentally and to get enough sleep before you embark on your big drive. In Queensland, approximately 15% of road fatalities are caused by driver fatigue – it is staggering to think that these fatalities could have been avoided. Map out your trip to include enough rest breaks and give yourself more time to get to your destination. It helps your concentration tremendously to have regular breaks and stay hydrated! 2. Make sure your car is safe to drive – It is very important to get your vehicle checked before you travel. This includes checking the tyres, oil, electrics and making sure you have enough fuel to get to where you are going! Make sure you are aware of the location of the next petrol station so you don’t get stuck. It also might be worthwhile to have roadside assistance cover (I know it has saved me many times). 3. Expect the unexpected – You can only really control what you do behind the wheel of your vehicle so it is important to try and anticipate what another vehicle may do and be prepared for some defensive driving. No one is immune to making a mistake every now and again! Sometimes, another driver may pull out in front of you or forget to use their indicator. These are things you can be on the lookout for and be ready to deal with it, it becomes necessary.
4. Do not tail gate – This is personally my pet hate – it makes me nervous when another driver is following so closely that there would most certainly be a collision if I had to stop suddenly. Always follow at a safe distance, which in most cases, is much longer than one car length. The Department of Transport and Main Roads recommends the time lapse method, which means you should drive at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front during ideal conditions. If there are poor conditions or you are driving a heavy vehicle, you should double your following distance. There is handy video on safe following distances here: https://youtu.be/mXmqnSNRWQo 5. Do not rage – Easier said than done sometimes, but it is very important not to succumb to road rage! If you are cut off, chances are it was a mistake on the part of the other driver and not intentional. Nothing good comes from getting frustrated – try to let other drivers change lanes or merge easily when you are able to and it is safe to do so. You are allowed to use your horn as a warning sign if necessary, to let the other driver know they have driven haphazardly (you are not allowed to use it to express your rage!) Always be on the lookout for other vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists and remember – sharing is caring. It is not your road and it has to be shared with everyone. If you have been injured in a road accident, it is important that you seek some legal advice in relation to your injury. There may be compensation that you are entitled to that you are not aware of. There are also strict timeframes which apply to motor vehicle accident claims. Arthur Browne & Associates can help you on a “no-win no-fee” basis if you have been involved in a road accident. Contact us to request a free initial consultation today. Comments are closed.
|
