Driving Safety Tips for the Christmas Season

Christmas is almost here, and the air is filled with stunning anticipation of the season. Are you ready to start your Christmas travel with laughter and joy? As you prepare for your journey, we bring you a special guide – Driving Safety Tips for the Christmas Season. In this guide, we will provide you with important tips to help you stay safe on the road during the holiday season.

1. Plan your travel

After you decide where to travel, you should start to plan. For example, you should consider the exact date you want to go and check the weather forecast for the duration of your vacation. If you are going somewhere unfamiliar, please plan your route in detail and share it with your families or friends at home for increased security.

2. Get your car checked

Before starting your travel, make sure you do some maintenance checks and pre-trip inspections. First, check the oil, brake fluid, and coolant levels to ensure your car works smoothly. Also, don’t forget to ensure your tires are properly inflated and have enough tread. Then, make certain that your windscreen wipes are in good condition. Most importantly, you must ensure your headlights, taillights, and turn signals operate properly. Through all these steps, it can help ensure a safe and pleasurable journey.

3. Followed all road rules

When you drive on the road, please obey all road rules. For example, don’t use your cell phone when you drive, make sure you wear seat belts, watch your speed and do not exceed it, don’t drive if you drink alcohol, keep a safe following distance, etc.

4. Stay alert

Keep an eye out for any changes in your path while traveling. As a result, if there are closed lanes ahead, you may rapidly adapt your driving to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Also, keep an eye out for road signs that may indicate the existence of a camera. Take a rest if you feel tired or drowsy. Remember, safety should always be your top priority when behind the wheel.

5. Be aware of weather conditions

It’s important to be cautious during Christmas, as the weather might be very unpredictable. Given that, you should keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared. If it will be raining or snowing, make sure you adjust your driving to the conditions. Slown down, increase the distance between you and the car in front of you.

6. Know what to do when you break down

No one expects a breakdown during the Christmas holiday, but being prepared for this situation is crucial for a safe trip. If it happens, you can follow these steps:

• Firstly, stay calm and pull off your car to the side of the road as soon as possible. Please don’t forget to turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that your car has some issues.
• Secondly, if you have the reflective triangle, please do not forget to use it. Put it 45 meters behind your car.
• In addition, you can assess the situation, but please do not try to fix the issues if you are unsure of the problems.
• Then, please stay in the car and keep your seat belt fastened. Use your phone to call for help. If you get full insurance, you can call them for help. Do not get out of the car until help arrives.

With these safe driving tips, hope you will have a nice and safe Christmas travel in New Zealand. If you would like any further information on anything you’ve read in this guide including car finance, or insurance, please don’t hesitate to contact our finance and insurance specialists on 0800 008 888. Choose smarter finance, choose Kiwi Car Loans.