Driving @ Xmas – keep-safe checklist

Connected: Christmas travel update

Christmas is coming, and the targeted traffic jam is getting fat.

Millions of us take to the roads to check out pals and family more than Christmas and the New Year – and the last issue we want is a breakdown or mechanical strife, or to be unprepared for one of the numerous difficulties the weather or the roads can throw at us.

With that in thoughts, here’s a checklist to assist make certain hassle-cost-free motoring more than the festive season.

Verify, mate…

If you’ve any long journeys planned, make positive your vehicle is prepared:

• verify the pressure and tread of your tyres


• top up your screenwash.


• verify your battery – if it is a lot more than 5 years old, you need to most likely replace it


• top up your engine oil


• verify your wiper blades.

Carry a kit

Make positive you’re prepared for each eventuality by carrying an emergency kit. Consist of:

• warm blankets


• hot drinks and snacks


• high visibility


• charged mobile telephone


• shovel


• torch


• wellingtons


• policy documents and emergency make contact with numbers.

Take out breakdown cover

Christmas is expensive sufficient with no having to be concerned about steep garage get in touch with-out fees if anything goes incorrect with your car. Complete breakdown cover begins from around £30 a year so is effectively worth contemplating.

Plan your route

Check for any road operates or delays Ahead of you leave house. Here’s our Christmas travel update.

Check the weather

Check weather reports prior to you leave property. If the weather is bad and the guidance is not to travel, delay your journey until it is safe.

Fill up just before you go

Make certain you have got a full tank of fuel just before you set off. Filling up at a local garage is most likely to be less expensive than stocking up on the motorway.

Take entertainment

A long journey can seem a complete lot longer if you’ve got modest young children clambering for your interest in the back. Take lots of factors to maintain them entertained – magazines, audio-books, iPads and transportable DVD players must all buy you a few hours of peace.

Rest when you want to

If your journey is going to take you many hours, keep in mind to take regular breaks. If you can, share the driving with an additional loved ones member, so you can each take it in turns to rest.

By no means drink and drive

Never ever ever get behind the wheel of your car if you have had a drink. Even just 1 drink can impair your judgement, so book a taxi for your journey house prior to you go on any nights out. And do not assume you’re protected to drive the morning right after if you have had a huge one the night ahead of – probabilities are you’ll still be more than the limit.

Driving @ Xmas – keep-safe checklist