Your festive season driving checklist

As excited as you might be to finally head off to your holiday destination or to go see family – if you haven’t already hit the road – there are still a few things to be mindful of before hitting the road to ensure not only your safety, but that of your vehicle as well.

A spokesperson from StressFreeCarRental.com spoke to Rekord about what you need to tick off from your festive season road trip checklist before hitting the road.

“As excited as we all are to see family and friends around the festive holiday, it is important for motorists to ensure the safety of their vehicle before setting off on any long journey,” the spokesperson said.

After all, who would want to realise they forgot something at home or find themselves stuck on the side of the road?

“A few simple checks will significantly help drivers relax and enjoy Christmas songs along the journey,” the spokesperson said.

Your Christmas road trip checklist:

Drivers should ensure all presents are packed before setting off on their journey, but also ensure they pack smartly to reduce the amount of luggage and avoid any hindrance to visibility.

– Emergency kit:

Just in case there are any issues along the way, drivers should ensure they have an emergency kit packed.

The emergency kit should include the normal medical emergency necessities, carphone chargers, high-visibility clothing; phone number of their breakdown service provider, non-perishable food and a torch.

– Playlist

Whether it’s classic Christmas tunes, Amapiano or a mix of everything, the playlist can definitely make or break the long journey ahead.

Ensure all the songs you would like to play are collected into one playlist to avoid fidgeting with the music while driving.

– Check the route

Because traffic along a long route can be unpredictable – traffic, road closures and other unexpected hiccups – a SatNav (satellite navigator) is always beneficial to have as it could divert the driver onto a faster route.

– Lights

The driver should check their head, brake and reverse lights before hitting the road.

This can be done by turning the headlights on and walking in front of the car. Ensure they are bright and even on both sides – while the brake and reverse lights can be checked by having someone stand behind the vehicle.

– Windscreen

Ensure full visibility for the trip ahead and prevent falling victim to any potential dangers on the road by checking for wear-and-tear on wiper blades. If the blades appear dry, cracked and misshaped, it is advisable to have them replaced.

It is also important to ensure that the windscreen is free from chips. Any damages should be checked by a professional immediately.

– Tyres

Make sure your tyres’ treads are still good. Go to a garage and ask them to make sure there are no smooth spots or any slow punctures. Also check that your wheels are balanced as this can help with steering and driving performance.

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