5 Ways to Get Road Trip Ready
With the rising popularity of staycations, road trips are on the cards for many this summer. Searches for ‘UK Road Trip’ were up 81% since April 2020, as Brits look towards holidaying in the UK this year. With that in mind, car finance provider Zuto have compiled a list of the top things you need to do to prepare yourself for a road trip to ensure the smoothest possible journey.
Pre journey safety checks.
With many of us embarking on a long journey for the first time in months, it is worth doing some important safety checks. Driving a car that is in a dangerous condition could land you in hot water, with fines up to £2500 and points on your license, it is worth doing some checks before you set off.
Checking tyres are an essential pre road trip check. Driving with a defective tyre could result three penalty points on your license and a large fine. By law, tyres should have a tread depth of 1.6mm, across the three central quarters of the tyre. However, this is a minimum requirement with many experts recommending 3mm.
Checking your oil levels should also be top of your checklist, as this is what keeps the engine running smoothly. If you have an older car, you may not be immediately alerted to low oil levels, use a dip stick to check that the level hasn’t gone below the minimum. If it has, it’s time to top up.
Simple things like making sure your windows, mirrors and windscreen are clean are also important checks. Make sure that you have enough screen wash for the journey too.
Road rules
Are you up to speed with the rules of the road? There have been some major changes in 2021 and it is important you are fully up to date to avoid any nasty fines.
During lockdown there was a MOT holiday, meaning you didn’t have to renew your car’s MOT. However, this has now come to an end. Check you have a valid MOT as driving without one could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
Is your driving licence in date? If your license expired between 1st February and 31st December 2020 it was automatically extended for 11 months. Double check your license is in date before setting off.
New rules around using a phone in a car have also come into play. It is now illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving for any reason, you should only engage with them in a handsfree capacity, and this also applies if you are sitting in traffic. Don’t be tempted to pick up your phone to take a quick snap of your scenic route, pull over and stop the car in a safe space as otherwise you could get six points on your license and a £200 fine.
Regular stops
A long drive can be tiring for even the most experienced of drivers, so make sure to plan your route that includes places to stop and have a rest. The Highway Code recommends drivers have 15-minute break every two hours. It could be an opportunity to stop off at some interesting places on the way to your destination.
Packing
Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of a road trip and it can be tempting to pack everything, including the kitchen sink. However, be careful not to overload your vehicle as this could lead to three points on your license. Not only this, but it can also be dangerous as excessive weight slows down the vehicle stopping time and puts pressure on the tyres. Your vehicle manual will tell you what the weight limit on your car is.
Driving habits
With many of us not having driven very much over the last year, some drivers may have fallen into some bad habits which are both costly and damaging to the car.
Harsh breaking and accelerating uses up more fuel, leading to a higher fuel bill. Late braking can also wear out your brake pads, meaning replacements might be needed more frequently.
Only have your foot on the clutch when you’re changing gear, poor clutch control can again lead to more wear.
