Driving home for Christmas

Are you driving home for Christmas? Maybe your going away or collecting relatives? In the days leading up to Christmas the roads will be inevitably busy, if you are driving around the Christmas period here are some helpful tips to help keep it a stress free and safe time for all.

Planning out your journey and checking local travel news to check for any accidents or unforeseen things that may impact your journey. Planning your routes will help you save time and get to your destination on time and hassle free.The last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic on a dark and cold Christmas eve!

If you are going to be enjoying a few Christmas drinks, make sure you are sober enough to drive the next morning,Whether it’s OK to drive the next morning depends on a lot of different factors, including how much you drank and if you’ve left enough time for your body to get rid of the alcohol.The amount of alcohol in your bloodstream depends on a few things, including the amount you take in, over what period of time and the speed at which your body gets rid of it.

Even if you feel sober enough you may not be, you must ensure that you have left a long enough gap between when you had your last alcoholic drink to getting behind the wheel.

We have already had some ice and snow this winter and we all know the Great British weather can be unpredictable most times, during periods of snow and ice it is best to only travel if absolutely necessary. Make sure you have a de-icer in your vehicle in case you need to clear your windscreen before leaving. An ice scraper would also be useful for this alongside new wiper blades to ensure a clear view when driving.

Driving in the dark can be tricky, especially around Christmas time in cold conditions. Make sure all of your car lights are working before setting off on your journey to ensure other drivers can see you. Make sure to leave plenty of space for the car in front, especially in icy conditions.

If you are not planning on traveling over the Christmas period it is best to check on your vehicle, switch on your engine and let it tick over for a while. This way you reduce the risk of your car not starting when you need it.  If you have a garage its a good idea to keep your car inside to help protect the windscreen.

Whilst out shopping for presents remember to always take your presents in with you, don’t leave them in your car especially where they are visible to opportunists! If you need to store them in your car for any reason, keep them in your boot covered and locked.