Summer holidays will soon be here, plan your journey wisely

summer holidays planning

Summer holidays will soon be here, plan your journey wisely
The summer holidays are coming up, which means more and more parents are making plans to head to sunnier climes. Whether you’re travelling by plane, ferry or car, it’s vital that you spend enough time planning your journey to avoid problems later on. Even if you’re staying in the UK, you will need to take adequate supplies of food and water with you to keep you focused and hydrated as you make your way to your destination.

Is your car prepared for the journey?
Before you begin your journey, you should assess your car for faults to ensure it is prepared for the journey. You need to ensure water, fuel and oil levels are topped up and do your research online to see if there are any problems with your route. If road works are in place, you may need to take an alternative route or head off earlier than planned to reach your destination at a suitable time. This is extremely important if you have a plane or ferry to catch. You may well wish to leave your radio on as you make your way to your destination so you can keep up to date with the latest travel news. It’s also wise to keep an eye on the latest weather news. If children are travelling with you, ensure they have something to keep them occupied like books, games and toys.

Get the sleep you need
Make sure you have had enough sleep before you travel. Many road accidents are caused by tiredness. Most accidents caused by tiredness occur between 2-4pm, between 2-6am and when making long journeys, especially whilst driving on lengthy, boring roads. Certain medication can cause drowsiness, as can alcohol. Although you are permitted to consume a small amount of alcohol before you drive, it may well be best to avoid it altogether. Tiredness can affect our concentration, judgement and alertness. Accidents caused by tiredness can be more severe than other types of road accident because drivers don’t always brake or swerve prior to crashing.

Do you need to drive?
You may wish to avoid driving altogether if you are heading out for a summer break. Although public transport can be expensive, you may be able to bring down the cost significantly by booking tickets well in advance of your journey. Remember to take regular breaks if you do decide to drive, and don’t begin your journey after a long shift at work. If you are using a satellite navigation system, it’s wise to set your destination before the journey begins and work out where you’ll stop for breaks. Sometimes it’s possible to drive for lengthy periods without passing a service station.

Stop when tired
If you do start to feel sleepy whilst driving, stop at your earliest opportunity. A small amount of caffeine may raise your alertness, as may a 15-minute nap once you have found somewhere suitable to stop, though these are only short-term solutions. It is always better to find somewhere to stay overnight rather than put yourself or others at risk.

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