The Christmas and New Year period is one of the busiest times on Australian roads. If you’re travelling during this time, following these safety tips can help ensure a smooth and secure journey.
Pre-Trip Vehicle Check
Before setting off on your holiday journey, make sure your vehicle is in good condition for a safe drive. Here are some checks to perform:
- Inspect the tyres, brakes, suspension, lights, and seat belts.
- Check tyre pressure—under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption and affect performance. You can find tyre pressure details on the placard inside the right front door frame or in the vehicle’s handbook. Properly inflated tyres also contribute to better fuel efficiency.
- Ensure headlights, indicators, and brake lights are functioning.
- Look for chips or cracks in your windscreen, as rough roads can cause these to worsen.
- Check fluid levels, including oil, coolant, and windscreen washer fluid.
Since some services may be closed over the holidays, it’s important to be well-prepared before you leave.
Plan Your Route
Knowing your route beforehand can help avoid stress and reduce the risk of accidents. Before setting off, you may want to:
- Check road conditions and traffic reports to avoid delays or accidents.
- Consider any roadworks or detours that might affect your trip.
- Use navigation apps to help you stay on track and find alternative routes if needed.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Holiday periods often lead to more vehicles towing boats, caravans, and trailers. Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, particularly slower-moving ones, is crucial. Patience and caution are essential when navigating around these road users.
Prepare for Fatigue
If you are travelling long distances, fatigue can significantly impair your driving abilities. To help reduce tiredness when driving, remember to:
- Take regular breaks—stop every two hours to stretch your legs and refresh your mind.
- Avoid driving when you’re feeling drowsy. If you’re tired, switch drivers or find a safe place to rest.
- Consider staying overnight if you’re driving long distances, rather than pushing through.
- If you’re travelling for work, please follow your company’s fatigue management requirements.
In Case of an Accident
If you’re involved in a road accident, it’s important to follow the proper steps which should include:
- Prioritising safety—ensure you and others are safe. Do not attempt to move any injured passengers from the vehicle.
- Avoiding admitting fault or offering to pay for damages at the scene.
- Providing your name, address, driver license number, registration details, and insurance information to others involved in the accident. Be sure to collect similar details from them.
- Gathering contact information from witnesses and take detailed notes and photos of the scene, including the location, road conditions, and vehicle damage. This will be helpful when filing an insurance claim.
Police reporting requirements may vary by state, so make sure you’re aware of the guidelines in your area.
Holiday traffic often causes congestion and distractions. Staying alert, avoiding distractions while driving, and remaining patient—especially during traffic jams or in busy areas—are essential for safe travel.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season on the roads.
This article has been published for information purposes only. Information on safe driving is available at various State and Territory websites. Any opinions, views of contributors, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on information available at time of writing, but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made in this article. ORIX Australia Corporation Limited ABN 79 002 992 681
