Your holiday checklist

You’re probably just as excited as we are right now. It’s December which is synonymous with golden beaches, bushveld braais and loads of merriment with our friends and family.
But December and January also claim thousands of lives on South African roads each year, which means you have to be extra vigilant. Here’s our advice for keeping safe on the roads this festive season.

1.    Rest stop 101

If you’re planning a long trip, make sure to check rest stops along the way where you can stretch your legs, have a bite to eat and, if necessary, have forty winks.
Check for:

●    Picnic spots
●    Service stations
●    Restaurants
●    Toll gates
●    Cultural and tourist attractions where you can stretch your legs

2.    Emergency contacts & locations

It goes without saying that you should have all the necessary emergency contact details and locations stored in hardcopy and electronic format.
This includes:

●    Police and emergency services
●    Your health and car insurance details
●    Your next of kin details
 
3.    Staying alert

Driving over long stretches at odd hours through unfamiliar terrain can be taxing and exhausting. If you need to stay alert try:

●    Energy drinks (use these sparingly as they may make you jittery or anxious)
●    Cool air
●    Music
●    Proper sunglasses
●    Wet wipes or water to cool yourself off
●    Frequent stops
●    Avoid high-traffic areas during peak hours
●    Avoid peak traffic dates

4.    Staying sane

Road trips can be exhausting if you’re travelling with your genetic entourage or furry friends. Our tips for staying sane?

●    Small activity packs, toy packs or lucky packets that your kids can open along the way.
●    Electronic gadgets like DVD players, mobile wi-fi, tablets and media players. 
●    Use sun covers to keep them cool and comfortable.
●    Seatbelt extenders, comfort harnesses and shoulder pads to make seat belts more comfortable.

5.    Road safety

For most of us, preventing an accident is not necessarily that easy. But here are a few tips you can follow for staying safer on the roads:

●    Do a full safety inspection
●    Service your car before embarking on your journey
●    Check cross-traffic before pulling away at a robot or intersection
●    Keep a safe following distance
●    Put your hazards on when you have to stop at night or travel in low-visibility conditions
●    Study some Defensive Driving techniques
●    Inform loved ones of your estimated times of departure and arrival 

6.    Cover & documentation

Make sure to check if your insurance is still up to date and that you are covered for all eventualities.
Also have your documentation and admin in order - this includes the contact details and policy/membership numbers of your insurance, service or emergency provider as well as proof of identification and emergency contacts.

7.    Safety talk

Have a safety talk with your family and other passengers to explain why certain precautions are necessary and what to do in the event of an emergency.
It’s important that all passengers discuss the following before you embark:

●    Who to contact in case of emergency.
●    Whether any of you have any allergies or special medical conditions emergency personnel should be aware of.
●    Where you keep the emergency medical kit.
●    Where you keep your emergency documentation.
●    What to do in case you are incapacitated and can’t instruct or assist them.
●    Practice emergency medical treatments and if you have kids, give them the Girl Scouts’ Brownie Guide for First Aid.

8.    Gadgets & gizmos a-plenty

If you’re planning a road trip there are, of course, a few gadgets and gizmos which can make your life easier. Some of these include:

●    Bluetooth charging kits
●    Phone/tablet dash mount
●    Dash cam
●    Bluetooth receiver for your iPod, smartphone or music player
●    GPS
●    Multi-headphone splitter
●    Hands-free phone kit

9. Emergency kit

Make sure to have fully stocked emergency medical kits and also include a small car breakdown kit with some extra fuel.

10. Other travel gear & accessories

Get some additional travel gear and accessories which will help you on your way or make your life a bit easier on the go. These include USB-chargeable cooking, heating or cooling gear, odour removers, swiss army knife or leatherman, disposable toiletries, solar-powered kits, foldable hammocks and whatever else you will need in the area you’re travelling to!

If you want extra peace-of-mind, why not check out accidentANGELS? You can get benefits whether you’re a driver, passenger or pedestrian. Find them here www.accidentangels.co.za or call 080 264 3576.