How to travel safely during holiday trips? Guide

For many drivers, getting to a vacation spot by car is a torment. So, let's read some useful tips before the trip.

Summer trips for many drivers end tragically. According to the police, last year in Poland the most traffic accidents were recorded in June, July and August, and the average number of victims in each of these months exceeded 5 people.

In order to minimize the chance of an accident, it is worth familiarizing yourself with a few basic rules for safe driving.

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Although in recent years there has been a decrease in the number of accidents caused by not adapting speed to traffic conditions, it is still their main cause. There are many reasons why drivers drive too fast.

This may be due to haste, overestimation of one's own capabilities, but is often the result of not feeling the real speed with which our car is moving. That's why drivers should check the speedometer regularly in order to control the speed,” says Zbigniew Veseli, director of the Renault driving school.

Будьте в курсе

Fatigue reduces concentration and increases reaction time, which directly affects driving safety. Stops that should be made every 2-3 hours are mandatory..

Holidays are the time of long-distance trips in Poland or abroad, so during a long-distance trip there must be at least two drivers in the vehicle. If there is no one who could put us behind the wheel, it is worth thinking about planning the route in such a way that we have time for a long rest or overnight stay, experts advise.

Before the planned trip, the driver should be well rested, and the driving hours should be adapted to his daily rhythm as much as possible, avoiding the time when we most often feel drowsy. In addition, it is worth remembering that it is not recommended to eat large portions, as they increase the feeling of drowsiness.

look at the signs

Due to the very large number of road works currently being carried out in Poland, changes in traffic organization are to be expected even on well-known routes.

Always look at road signs, driving by heart is prohibited. Even when using satellite navigation, the driver is not relieved of the obligation to check that the GPS hints correspond to the actual road markings. It may turn out that the proposed maneuver does not comply with the regulations.

Do not be distracted

Avoid using mobile phones while driving, minimize activities such as adjusting the radio or navigation to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel – it is best to ask a passenger for help. Don't eat while driving.

An important issue is the behavior of passengers - they should not distract the driver by engaging him in an exciting conversation or showing him, for example, photographs or buildings.

If you are traveling with children, you should make sure that they have something to do during the trip. If the driver wants to control what is happening in the back seat, you can install an additional rear-view mirror aimed at small passengers.

Take care of the car

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition before you travel. Aside from the obvious safety issue, there are also economic reasons to renovate before the holidays. Even a small, relatively minor malfunction can eventually lead to immobilization of the car..

Towing and repairs can cost us dearly, so any repairs should be taken care of in advance, according to safe driving experts. Do not forget about such elementary things as: the condition of the tires, the oil level, the efficiency of the headlights and wipers, the amount of the appropriate washer fluid.

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If you are planning a trip abroad, before leaving please refer to the rules in the countries through which we pass. Ignorance does not exempt drivers from liability for traffic violations and may pose a threat.

Remember that there are graphic differences in road signs, speed limits and requirements for mandatory vehicle equipment may be different, safe driving coaches suggest.

Text and photo: Carol Biel