Driving Home for Christmas?

Most of us will travel at some stage over next week. Sharing the road with what can feel like the entire population can be stressful.

image courtesy of IAM Roadsmart

This week’s tips from IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, give advice on driving home for Christmas…

• Try and avoid setting off at peak times which includes early afternoon on Christmas Eve as this is when many motorists will start their journey. With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, you might be able to travel on a different day. Don’t forget to check for weather or traffic-related updates so you can allow more time to travel.
• If you’re travelling a long distance then take into consideration that the weather in one region may not be the same as another. So plan for the whole length of your journey and take note of what the weather is like closer to your destination.
• Before you set off, make sure your friends and family know where you are going and your expected time of arrival. Try to be as realistic as possible so they are not worrying about you if you get a little late, and always ensure you have enough fuel as some garages can close early.
• Packing the car can leave you fraught. Make a check list of everything you need and try to ensure there are no loose parcels that could turn into missiles in the event of having to brake in an emergency.
• Family pets pick up on the excitement of Christmas; remember they need seatbelts or a method of restraint too. Keep them away from where you pack the chocolate and mince pies as both are really bad for dogs and you don’t want to start Christmas with a large vet bill.
• Make sure you take regular rest breaks but avoid leaving valuable gifts on show by locking them away out of sight in the boot.
• If you’re too tired to drive then delay your journey. And if you begin to feel tired on your journey, then take a rest break. A coffee and a 20 minute stop are the bare minimum to help you stay alert. In any case, your journey should be planned with breaks every 2 hours. 

Richard said: “Careful planning and preparation can ensure your Christmas drive home is a safe and smooth one. So long as you give yourself extra time at this busy time of year, your journey home doesn’t need to be as arduous.

“We all look forward to spending the festive season with loved ones so let’s all do our bit to make it a safe one for the road. From all here at IAM RoadSmart, here’s wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Everyone at the Good Garage Scheme sends the same wishes and thanks IAM Roadsmart for this useful advice. Don't forget to download the GoodGarageScheme App before you set off on your Christmas journey so that you can always find a garage you can trust.

Get Set for the School Run

With the summer holidays now drawing to a close, many parents are busy getting their children ready for a new academic year ahead, buying numerous ‘back to school’ items for their loved ones, such as uniforms, stationery and sports kit. However, one area that’s often overlooked is the family car and the need for it to provide safe and reliable transport for the daily demands of the school run. In response, the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to get their cars professionally checked as term begins.

Good Garage Scheme workshops across the UK can offer motorists peace of mind by providing an expert assessment of their vehicle’s condition as the new school year starts.

All essential areas of the car should be examined including the following:

• condition and level of the coolant and engine oil
• tyres - for correct pressure and excessive wear
• wiper blades
• windscreen and fluid
• lights

This will ensure the car is ready for the wet and cold months ahead. Not doing so can increase the risk of having a collision, especially if a car’s tyre pressures are low, making it hard to maintain grip and easier to skid in wet conditions. Being able to see and be seen is also important as the days start to get shorter, making it essential to inspect all bulbs to ensure they are working, as well the operation of heaters and windscreen washers.

Getting a car serviced at a Good Garage Scheme workshop also helps drivers make the most of the money they spend on fuel, whether filling with petrol or diesel. Good Garage Scheme member garages can help motorists cut their fuel bills by as much as 14 per cent by cleaning and lubricating the entire fuel system to improve engine efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

For more information about your local garage, visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com.

Remember Remember to Drive Safely

Bonfire Night and the days around it will mean there will be more families and young children out and about on the roads in the dark.

Good Garage Scheme Tips for Bonfire Night

1. Check local websites for event information
Find out all you can about your local Bonfire Night celebrations ahead of time. Many organised displays will list times, prices and locations of free car parking facilities on a website.

2. Plan for Local Road Closures
Leave in plenty of time to arrive at your local celebrations so that you don’t miss out on the best places to view the fireworks. Roads closer to the event may be closed, and you may need to park further away from the venue than normal. Don’t forget a torch to guide you through any unlit pathways.

3. Drive Slowly
Young children excited to see fireworks and bonfires may not be used to walking in the dark evenings. Drive slowly and take extra care when driving this weekend to avoid any accidents.

The Good Garage Scheme advises all drivers to take extra care on the roads around the celebrations planned for the 5th of November and be aware of pedestrians going to and from their cars to attend events.

Have a safe and happy Bonfire Night.

Drive Safely During Ramadan

The Good Garage Scheme welcomes advice from the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) for drivers to stay safe on the roads during the holy month of Ramadan which began this week on the 18th June.

Ramadan is a time when most followers of Islam will undertake a daily fast for approximately 30 days. For those drivers that are fasting, the IAM has tips to ensure both you and your passengers are as safe as possible.

• Try to maintain a daily schedule; eat your meals and stay hydrated when you are supposed to, exercise regularly and sleep well – disrupting your daily routine too much can affect your behaviour behind the wheel.
• If possible, avoid setting out early in the morning or late in the evening as you’re less likely to be naturally alert. The same applies for when you have just eaten a heavy meal; you will only end up feeling lethargic.
• Avoid driving if you are feeling tired or sleepy as this greatly increases the risk of a sleep related crash. If you have no choice but to travel and the destination is within a short distance, take a power nap beforehand to help relieve some fatigue.
• If at any point you are feeling tired or sleepy when you are driving, ensure that you stop in a safe and legal place where you can park your vehicle and take rest. Take a short nap and once you have woken up get out of the car and walk about to help improve your circulation. Remember, if you are travelling on the motorway you must not stop on the hard shoulder at any point unless your car has broken down.
• Be extra alert when driving just before sunset or on the way to have Iftar refreshments which break the day’s fast – at this time of the day your blood sugar levels will be at their lowest so take it easy.
• Do not speed or drive erratically in the hope of arriving home at sunset for Iftar – it’s better to drive to steady and safely than to be sorry.
• Sharing the drive when possible is always a good idea especially on long journeys – the chances of you feeling tired will be significantly reduced.
• Your concentration will also be impacted if you are feeling tired or dehydrated – consider using public transport.

Peter Rodger, IAM's head of driving standards commented: “If your eating and drinking patterns are altered for any period of time your abilities and reactions behind the wheel will be affected. This applies equally at Ramadan. Do allow for this if you’re fasting. Look after yourself and you can continue your journeys as normal.” 

The IAM also thanks Emirates Driving Institute for their help creating these tips.