As we gear up for a great (and hopefully dry) summer, a lot of Kiwis will be itching to continue in the tradition of the NZ roadie. Whether it includes a dip at the beach to escape the heat, dropping in on friends & family, or simply visiting a new travel hotspot, it’s important to make sure you’re safe on the roads as you get there. So, buckle up as we take you through our top roadtrip safety tips.
Car
Starting off with the most important part of the road trip, your car. You can make sure it’s ready to take you to your destination safely and efficiently by checking these parts yourself:
Tyres - Check tyre pressures, including the spare, and monitor tread depth; 1.5mm is the legal minimum. Inspect tyres for cuts and uneven wear, consulting a professional if needed.
Vision - Clean all glass, checking wiper blades, and repairing windscreen cracks.
Lights - Verify that all lights are working and lenses are clean.
Cooling system - Maintain the cooling system to avoid breakdowns; AA Roadservice attends roughly 7,500 cooling system-related callouts annually, the majority of which could’ve been avoided with regular check-ups.
Towing - Inspect trailers for wheel-bearing issues (as trailers or caravans aren’t used as frequently as your car) and ensure lights are operating correctly.
Servicing - Check the engine oil level and top it up if required before heading off on a long road trip. Ensure that your WoF is up to date and your RUC covers the distance you’ll travel too. If your next service interval is coming, your WoF expires during the planned dates of the road trip, or your RUC will exceed the end reading – arrange to have your vehicle serviced and inspected, plus purchase a new RUC license before you head off.
Yourself
What’s a car without a driver? You’re in charge of getting everyone to the destination safely, so it’s important you take precautions and drive carefully. Here’s a few ways you can do just that:
Plan ahead – Make sure you’ve chosen your route which will accommodate stopping for snacks or a stretch – both of which are essential to help you keep optimal concentration.
Distractions – Avoid or remove them! Anything that takes away your focus away from driving can be hazardous. Keep your phone tucked away, out of reach, let another passenger be the DJ, and make sure children have toys or games to keep them entertained.
Drive to the conditions – Adjust how you drive based on the weather, road conditions, lighting, and traffic. Also, keep in mind that speed limits apply to dry roads without too much traffic, so increase your following distance and reduce your speed whenever conditions worsen.
Wear a seatbelt – Wear your seatbelt and ensure your passengers do so too. There’s a nearly 50% chance of a serious injury if you crash at 50km/h without your seatbelt on.
Stay sober – Put simply, if you intend on drinking, don’t drive. Even the slightest amounts of alcohol can affect your reaction time, senses and judgement and a new record-high was set for road deaths involving drunk drivers in 2022.
Learn how to avoid a head-on crash – You are driving along when suddenly an oncoming car drifts into your lane. You are about to have a head-on collision - what would you do? Check out AA Direction’s tips.
Essential items
The team here at AA Motoring are firm believers in expecting the unexpected. So, here’s our definitive list of must-haves to keep you safe if something goes wrong.
- Torch – don’t drain your phone’s battery when trying to change a flat tyre in the middle of the night. Find the 9LED Superbright Torch and the BSafe Emergency Beacon on the AA Shop.
- First aid kit – something you hope you won’t use but will be grateful for if you need it. Find the best one for your needs on AA Shop, which includes the popular Grab & Go 4x Person Emergency Kit.
- Rug/Blanket – use it keep yourself or someone else warm. You could even use it as a cushion when inspecting parts of a broken down car. The AA Shop has two available, the AA Picnic Rug and the Trekk Round Picnic Rug.
- Car escape tool – break through a car window or cut through your seatbelt when you’re stuck. Make sure you know which window/s in your car are tempered and which are laminated by checking what’s written on the window (usually in the bottom corner). They will not break laminated glass, which is used for windscreens and sometimes side windows. Take your pick of colour of your Resqme Car Escape Tools on AA Shop.
Lastly, we’ve got some handy advice from our friends at AA Insurance on windscreen care and how to prevent car theft. Some very useful tips when going on a roadie, check it out!