Planning a road trip? Get prepared

Are you planning a road trip for the next school holidays or just want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days?

There are few important tips you should consider to ensure you and your family’s safety once you get out of the city and onto the wide open road.

• Prep your car. Before you leave, make sure that the car is in check and mechanically in order for the kilometers of driving ahead. Check that the oil level is satisfactory, the tyre pressure is correct, that there is enough water to clean the windscreen and that all of your lights are working. It may also be an idea to have it serviced before you go, especially if has been sometime since the last checkup.

• Stop, revive and survive. Stop to have a break at least every 2 hours to grab a drink or food and unwind for a little. Depending on where you are there are usually dedicated rest stops along the way, or if not just look out for a safe area off the road to pull over and stretch your legs for about 10 to 20 minutes.

• Keep the kids entertained. For those long drives make sure that the kids pack plenty of games, toys, DVDs, books and things to keep them entertained and more importantly to leave you to concentrate on your driving. They are sure to get a bit restless so stop every couple of hours so they can rest their legs, run around and burn off a bit of extra energy.

• Drive at a distance. We all know that the higher your speed, the longer it takes to come to a stop, so when driving on open roads make sure you take this factor into account by keeping a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. In the instance that it is raining or there is ice on the road, ensure that you allow for a much further gap.

• Beware of road kill. Country driving and wildlife go hand in hand, so always keep your wits about you and be conscious that our beloved Australian animals are around, especially at night. Kangaroos and wallabies are most prevalent at dusk and dawn, so drive with caution or avoid driving at these times altogether if possible. Also take notice of the roads signs which notify you to be extra careful in some areas.

• Large trucks. Keep your eye out for road trains and large trucks on the country roads. Slow down and keep in mind that due to their size that they sometimes can’t see you and are harder to stop suddenly if a situation arose.

• Car insurance. Unfortunately life is full of surprises and sometimes kangaroos can jump out from bushes right in front of you, so it is important to know that you have the right level of comprehensive car insurance so that you are covered in case something was to happen. To find a policy that best suits you compare car insurance quotes online.