We go on vacation by car

It's time to start your holiday trips! It is relatively close to Poland, but also real expeditions to the farthest corners of the continent. Before a well-deserved vacation, let's take care of the good technical condition of the car, its equipment and the proper organization of the trip in order to be able to fully enjoy the delights of free time.

Many of us will consciously choose our own car as a mode of transportation, and not only because of its aspects. economic. The car also gives a lot of freedom and it depends on us which route we will take, where we will stop and what else we will visit along the way. A well-planned and thoughtful journey on your own four wheels is a chance for additional entertainment and adventure. Of course, only positive ones, which then pop up in memories, cause only a smile.

The more detailed we prepare for a holiday trip in our own car, the better. It's not about the track itself, but perhaps most of all about the technical condition and equipment of the car.

technical review

Before going on vacation, it is better to check the technical condition of the car one time more than one time less. Of course, you can never be 100% sure that nothing will happen to you on the way, but thanks to a thorough check, we minimize this risk. Diagnostics should cover brakes, including brake fluid, suspension, steering system, lighting, and tires. The professional workshop will also check for fluid leaks from the engine, transmission, cooling system or power steering. It is also worth making sure that the car is working by connecting it to a diagnostic tester.

Travel comfort

A vacation trip by car is often an actual trip of several hours or more. Without proper comfort, this can affect. There are a number of accessories on the market that make driving more enjoyable and safer.

moments of relaxation

“When you go on vacation, which you look forward to all year round, there is no need to rush. It is better to get to the long-awaited beach or mountain trail later, but in full health. Before you get behind the wheel you need to have a good rest and sleep. Driving a car with a tired driver can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol,” says Krzysztof Holowczyc, brand ambassador for Motointegrator.pl.

According to the estimates of the Institute of Road Transport and the Association of Transport Psychologists in Poland, fatigue leading to the wrong decision on the road can be the cause of even 10 to 25 percent. accidents. Therefore, the unspoken rule says that after every two hours of driving, you should take a 20-minute break. With the right arrangements, these stops can be very enjoyable and add an interesting twist to your trip. We don't have to host them just in gas station parking lots, eating a hot dog and drinking a can of drink.

Several recipes

Before crossing the Polish border, let's find out how our rules differ from the rules of the road, which regulate, among other things, compulsory equipment, permitted speeds, insurance or any fees. Such knowledge can save our vacation budget from unnecessary, often serious losses.

Polish driving license and third party liability insurance are recognized throughout the European Union. If you want to enter Belarus, Moldova, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Ukraine, you will need a green card, which is available free of charge from most insurance companies. Let's organize it in advance, because at the border we will have to pay even a few hundred zlotys.

Even a minor breakdown of a car can effectively disable it, and repairing or towing a vehicle is a significant expense. Therefore, it is wise to purchase additional assistance insurance that covers road repairs, towing to a service center or a replacement vehicle.

The required equipment for a car is slightly different from country to country. If we want to be sure that we will not be issued a ticket during a police search, we must take with us a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher with the current expiration date, a good first aid kit, a reflective vest, a set of lights. light bulbs and tow rope.

As in Poland, you also pay for the motorway section in France, Italy and the Iberian Peninsula. In Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, we pay the fee by purchasing a temporary vignette, which can be purchased at petrol stations, post offices or at the border. Let's not neglect this obligation, because for its absence we can be severely punished. In Scandinavia, some bridges and tunnels are toll-free, while motorways are free.

We must take into account the proverb “slower, the further you go”, first of all, in relation to our safety. Also, this rule works well with speed limits, exceeding which can make a big hole in your wallet. If we see a speed limit of 120 km/h in Germany, it is better not to ignore it, because fines up to 500 euros are not uncommon there. Even more painfully, we will feel the reloading in violation of the rules in Switzerland, Finland and Norway. Thus, it seems clear that we are our best advisor.

There will always be responsibility and common sense in your travels.