Driving around the Christmas season can be stressful with unexpected weather, people rushing frantically and many travelling long distances to spend with their family and friends. To help ensure you spend more time with your loved ones and less time on the road, we have put together some driving tips to help you travel more safely and efficiently.
Check your car is ready to hit the road
The last thing you want is a breakdown over the Christmas period! To prevent this from happening, make sure you check your car’s oil levels, battery and tyres before setting off on a long journey. Also, be sure that your fuel tank is filled up – running out of petrol or diesel is the largest cause of breakdowns in the UK.
Be prepared for anything
Winters in the UK are notoriously unpredictable and no one really knows when snow might hit. In case you are faced with a blizzard of bad weather make sure you have an emergency snow kit in the boot. These are a must have for any car in winter and usually consist of a shovel, blanket, torch, wellies, water, non-perishable snacks and some extra clothes.
Plan your journey ahead
Always check the weather forecast to get a better idea of the conditions you could be facing and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination to avoid rushing. Even a gentle rain fall or slight wind can increase your journey time and also have a negative effect on fuel consumption.
Relax and enjoy the ride
There is a lot that can be done to make long car journeys fun for the whole family. If you have young kids in the car, play lots of travel games and have a Christmas album playing to keep the festive spirits high - we recommend Michael Bublé’s album for getting into the festive mood! Visit West Way for your free winter health check,
click here to for more information! We wish everyone driving over the Christmas season a safe journey.