5 Safety Checks For Your Car Before A Road Trip

With more than one UK Bank Holiday on the horizon, thoughts inevitably turn to the fun road trips you have planned. 

Before setting off on your journey, we urge drivers to take the time to ensure their vehicle is prepared and car tyres ready for long drives.

Every Bank Holiday weekend, the number of vehicles taking to the roads in the UK drastically increases - heightening the potential for accidents. 

When you also consider the damaged surfaces and the abundance of potholes on UK roads (ok, I’ll climb down off this soap box), it is vital that motorists take every precaution to ensure their safety when driving.

To help you prepare your car for a long road trip journey, Blackcircles.com has come up with five quick and easy safety tips that can be carried out in 15 minutes:

1. Check 'under the bonnet' fluid levels

The usual suspects include anti-freeze, brake fluid, screen wash and oil. Not being able to see the road clearly ahead of you, experiencing less responsive brakes and motorway breakdowns all carry the potential of a major accident.

These simple checks (and top ups where required) before you head off for the Bank Holiday will go a long way to ensuring your car works as intended on the road, and helps to enhance your safety.

2. Check your tyre tread and air pressure. 

Under-inflation can cause rapid wear of the tread shoulders while over-inflation results in accelerated wear on the tread centre. Both impact on a driver’s ability to manoeuver and brake safely.

The likelihood is that your car will be carrying more weight before a long journey – due to your extra luggage. So, make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure according to your car’s load. 

Most car manufacturers will recommend higher air pressures in tyres when the car is fully loaded. Make sure you check your vehicle’s handbook to discover the correct recommended levels.

3. Ensure wiper blades are working correctly. 

It is dangerous to drive in bad weather without a pair of good windshield wipers.

They ensure you maintain maximum visibility and if this is comprised because of poor wipers you should be very concerned.

Testing your windscreen wiper blades are functioning properly and are not dirty before you embark on your journey is a quick, but often overlooked check.

4. Make sure your windscreen washer is working. 

It is all too easy for dirt to obscure your windscreen and the last thing you want is to be moving in traffic or driving at night and not being able to see clearly.

5. Ensure seat belts are not frayed. 

We use our seatbelts every time we get in a car so it is vital to check they are not fraying and risking injury in the event of an accident.

If you are unsure how to complete any of the safety checks mentioned, or have concerns with your car, make sure to seek advice. Visit your nearest local garage and speak with a mechanic.

Have A Safe Trip

By taking a few minutes out of your day, before your road trip, to make the above checks you are going a long way in ensuring your safety on the roads.

If you are travelling away for a short break soon, I hope you have a good time.