Hitting the road the right habits for a safe and worry-free drive
Depending on the season and the length of your journey, careful preparation before your departure is essential. Many details deserve your attention to avoid oversights and ensure your safety on the road. To depart with peace of mind at your destination, follow our advice.
Get some rest and make sure you are fit to drive
As the driver, you are responsible for the safety of all your passengers. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before you leave. Sleep plays a vital role in your alertness while driving. An adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. This can vary from person to person, but sleeping less than 6 hours can negatively affect your health and dangerously compromise your concentration on the road. It’s essential to eat a meal before you leave, even if waiting for the first motorway service area might seem convenient. A proper meal before setting off will help you stay alert behind the wheel and avoid fatigue while driving.
Going on holiday-check the condition of your vehicle before hitting the road
This step should not be overlooked before embarking on a long journey. Every forgotten item could compromise your safety and cause you to lose precious time once you’re on the road. Make sure you have your maintenance logbook with you.
Especially
- tire wear and pressure
- brake pads
- candles
- the fires
- the battery
- windshield wipers
- the windshield
As garages are particularly busy before the holiday season, remember to book an appointment at least a month before your departure if you want to have your vehicle checked by a mechanic. The day before you leave, check the oil, coolant, brake, and windshield washer fluid levels.
Load the trunk properly and optimize the space.ce
Loading a vehicle often presents a logistical challenge, especially when traveling with family or needing to bring a lot of equipment. We’ve all experienced those preparation scenes where every corner of the car must be optimized. However, this meticulous organization should never compromise safety, and some practices are absolutely forbidden.
Start by placing the heavy object.cts
Once these elements are in place, organizing the rest of your belongings will be considerably easier. Heavy items should be properly positioned at the back of the trunk and in the center of the vehicle to balance the load and maintain good driving stability throughout your journey.
The rear shelf of the trunk is not designed for storing items
Never leave any objects on the rear shelf of your vehicle. In the event of emergency braking or an accident, these unsecured items can become dangerous projectiles that can seriously injure passengers. Furthermore, they obstruct your view in the rearview mirror, compromising your safety when maneuvering.
Plan your route and check traffic information on the motorway to avoid traffic jams
- To save time and avoid stress, study your route using a map or GPS.
- Calculate the journey time and plan stops every 2 hours.
- Check traffic conditions on the Bison Futé traffic information website. In case of traffic jams, postpone your journey by a few hours or leave the next day. day;
- Weather conditions. In hot weather, it’s best to drive in the late afternoon or at night, especially if you have children.
Prioritize passenger comfort and safety
- Bring fresh water and food for the whole family, and in sufficient quantities, in case you get stuck in traffic.
- Consider fitting sunshades to the rear windows.
- If you have children, make sure they travel in seats appropriate for their age.
- Check that you have a fluorescent safety vest and a warning triangle, which are mandatory in your vehicle.
- Finally, as a precaution, remember to take a spare set of your vehicle keys in case you lose them at your holiday destination.
How long should you wait before driving after drinking alcohol?
The time it takes to get back behind the wheel after consuming alcohol varies depending on several factors, but on average, it takes about two hours to eliminate the effects of just one drink. This time can be longer depending on gender, weight, health status, or whether the alcohol was consumed on an empty stomach. It is therefore recommended to wait several hours, or even not to drive at all, after drinking, even if you think you are below the legal limit. For young drivers, there is zero tolerance. If in doubt, using a breathalyzer is strongly advised before getting behind the wheel.
When is it safe to travel with a baby?
It is possible to travel with a baby from the first days of life, provided they are in an approved car seat, appropriate for their age, nd correctly installed rear-facing. For long journeys, it is best to wait a few weeks, or even three months, to minimize the risks associated with prolonged rear-facing travel. It is recommended to travel during the baby’s sleeping hours, to take breaks at most every two hours, and to prepare thoroughly for the trip (diaper change, feeding, comfort). Finally, a baby should never be left alone in the car, even for a short time.
Are Bison Fute’s traffic forecasts updated in real time?
The French public traffic information service, Bison Futé, offers traffic forecasts and real-time information. Forecasts are prepared in advance based on the time of year, travel patterns, and anticipated events (holidays, weekends, public holidays). They allow drivers to anticipate days of heavy traffic, classified according to a color code (green, orange, red, black). In addition, Bison Futé also provides real-time updates on traffic conditions, congestion, accidents, roadworks, and weather conditions, accessible on its website. These two types of information enable users to better plan their journeys and adjust their departure times according to road conditions.