It's not so obvious to everyone. And it's very easy to make a mistake

The last holiday weekend is usually a time of exceptionally heavy traffic on the roads. Hurry, traffic jams and the temptation to catch up are circumstances that are not conducive to driving safety. Therefore, it is recommended to plan your trip in advance so that it runs smoothly and hits the road before the peak of traffic begins.

The end of a vacation is invariably associated with the return from vacation and an increase in traffic on the roads. We often leave at the last minute and in a hurry, and in addition, many drivers can experience stress associated with returning to their duties or being indebted from work. However, creating a nervous atmosphere in the car is not conducive to driving safety. Make sure that your irritation or rush influences your driving behavior and decisions on the road as little as possible. Sometimes the security systems in cars can help the driver. However, so that returning from vacation does not become an unpleasant experience for us, it is worth preparing for it.

DO NOT PLAN FOR THE LAST TIME

There is often a rush on the way back, as drivers want to minimize travel time and get home as quickly as possible. Postponing departures to the last minute can lead to the temptation to catch up later by speeding or risky maneuvers along the route. You should also consider other drivers who are in a similar situation and are also in a hurry, which can lead to less careful than usual driving, not maintaining the prescribed distance between cars and improper overtaking. Therefore, before you hit the road, you should check when the traffic on the route is the highest and leave earlier.

See also: When can I order an additional license plate?

When planning a return on the last weekend of the holidays, one must take into account the much higher traffic congestion and the difficulties associated with it. Therefore, it is all the more important to be especially careful and adapt your speed and driving style to the prevailing conditions. Moreover, we often drive not alone, but several people in one car. says Adam Bernard, director of the Renault Driving School.

DO NOT SLEEP AT THE DRIVE

It is important that the driver is well rested before setting off, as tired and sleepy driving means you react more slowly, which can lead to loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of an accident. The driver should never ignore signs of fatigue such as difficulty concentrating, heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, or the absence of a traffic sign. In such a situation, frequent breaks for rest or movement can help, first of all. You can also save yourself by drinking strong coffee, and while driving, you should turn on a cooler airflow.

It happens, however, that driver fatigue, combined with the monotony of driving, leads to the fact that he falls asleep at the wheel and suddenly leaves the lane. This is very dangerous, which is why recent cars are equipped with Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). Thanks to this, the car can react in advance to a change in the track - the camera captures the horizontal road markings, and the system warns the driver about inadvertently crossing a continuous or intermittent lane at a certain speed. The system automatically corrects the track if the vehicle starts to move out of the lane without the warning light coming on. However, modern technologies can only help the driver to drive safely, but do not replace a good rest before the trip. So it is better not to allow situations where such a system can turn on.

WHEN YOU STAND IN THE TRAILS

It may happen that even by scheduling the departure time for the time of least traffic, we will not avoid traffic jams on our way. In this case, it is especially important to maintain an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front. In such conditions, cruise control with the Stop & Go function will work well, which can be installed in the car both as standard and as an option. This system operates from 0 to 170 km/h and automatically maintains a minimum safe distance from the vehicle in front. If the car needs to be completely stopped while driving in a traffic jam, it can safely stop and restart it within 3 seconds when other vehicles start moving. After 3 seconds of inactivity, the system requires driver intervention by pressing a button on the steering wheel or depressing the accelerator pedal.

BE THE FIRST

Maintaining priority is one of the main causes of road traffic accidents committed by drivers every year. Last year, there were 5708 2780 accidents due to refusal to give way. In turn, drivers failed to give way to pedestrians at crosswalks, when turning into an intersection or in other circumstances, of which 83% of pedestrian crossings occurred in lanes*.

Particular attention should be paid to pedestrians as unprotected road users, because they are the most vulnerable in a collision with a car and even with a seemingly insignificant impact, they can receive the most serious injuries. Remember to always follow the principles of cooperation and limited trust in other road users while driving.

DON'T GET OUT OF YOUR HOME

When we reach our destination and find ourselves in familiar terrain, it's easy to lose focus while driving. The feeling of safety associated with driving on known roads can make drivers less alert. It should be remembered that road hazards can appear anywhere and too much relaxation at the wheel or distraction can lead to insufficient response, which increases the risk of being involved in a dangerous accident on the last straight.

See also: Peugeot 308 station wagon