If you’re due to go on a long drive, it’s crucial to do the right safety checks before you set off. You could be heading out for the day or on a lengthier road trip. Either way, ensuring your vehicle is up for the drive is important not only for everyone’s safety but also to avoid any unwanted breakdowns.
The summer holidays can be especially busy on the roads, so being proactive is key. This means thinking ahead to make the drive run as smoothly as possible. Perhaps you’d benefit from getting your tyres checked and potentially replaced in St Neots en route to a day trip in Cambridge, or investing in a cool box to upgrade your snacks. Regardless, it’s sensible to think about these things well in advance.
What checks should I do?
Common checks to do on your car before a long drive include:
- Checking oil levels
- Checking if you have enough coolant
- Checking screen wash levels
- Checking you have enough fuel
- Testing the electrics and lights
- Checking your tyres
Additional prep
Other things you can do to make the drive more comfortable include:
- Packing snacks and water: This way, you can keep passengers happy and reduce the amount of stops you’ll need to make.
- Securing any loose items: This includes items that might be rolling around in the boot, or on the back seats.
- Setting the satnav: Make sure you have all the address information handy so you can add the details to the satnav and set off without delay. If you don’t have an inbuilt satnav, you could purchase and test out a phone mount before your trip.
- Turning your phone on ‘do not disturb’: This will stop pesky group chat messages from distracting you while driving.
- Checking everyone’s seatbelt is correctly fastened: This is especially important if you have little ones. Baby car seats should be thoroughly checked too.
- Make sure you have all the right paperwork: From car insurance to breakdown details, be sure to have any important policy numbers and contact details handy either on your phone or printed off.
You may also want to pack a cooler to keep food and drink fresh on a warm day. A first aid kit can offer peace of mind, while picnic blankets allow you to settle down comfortably at any pitstops. Having bin bags at the ready means you can compile any rubbish as you go.
In the front of the car, you might find it handy to have your sunglasses within easy reach to reduce glare from the sun. Meanwhile, in the back of the car, passengers might want to bring eye masks or noise-cancelling headphones for napping or enjoying some downtime. Comfy throws and pillows are also ideal for this.
Last but not least, don’t forget to compile a feel-good driving playlist so you won’t have to worry about finding the right songs or radio station.
