| The holiday season is often quite a busy period for | | | | Planning Your Trip |
| everyone and consequently it also makes our roads a | | | | Many people often are faced with a long drive alone. |
| much more dangerous place if you are not prepared | | | | Before you set off for your trip, take a look at how |
| and careful. While you can't control other drivers' | | | | long the drive will be and if you need to stop for the |
| behaviour, you can certainly control your own actions. | | | | night somewhere along the way. Trying to do a long |
| Designate Drivers | | | | distance drive in one foul swoop is often the reason |
| While it's always great to have a few drinks with | | | | as to why people have accidents on our roads at |
| friends and family, it's also extremely important to | | | | Christmas time. |
| remember that driving drunk not only puts you and | | | | Once you're on the road, if you are driving solo and |
| your passengers at risk of serious harm or even | | | | start to feel tired or drowsy, pull over as soon as you |
| fatalities - it puts countless others at risk too. If you are | | | | can. A powernap for 15 minutes may not seem like |
| attending Christmas drinks with friends or family, | | | | much, but could very easily save you from falling |
| nominate someone to drive for the evening. Not only | | | | asleep at the wheel. While having loud music on and |
| will you have a safe lift home, you'll also know that | | | | the windows down may seem like it will keep you |
| your car is safely back in your garage without the | | | | awake, the only way to cure drowsiness is with sleep. |
| increased possibility of break-ins or vandalism if it is | | | | If you do choose to pull over and have a nap, be sure |
| parked in a quiet, unlit street. | | | | to park well off the road, preferably in a signed rest |
| If you're taking a long trip somewhere in the car, that | | | | area and ensure your car is locked, even if you are in |
| doesn't mean that you can't designate a driver in this | | | | it. |
| instance too. While alcohol may not be a concern, | | | | Keeping safe while driving over the Christmas period is |
| sleep deprivation and drowsiness is also a killer on | | | | about planning ahead, being prepared and taking a |
| Australian roads. If you have someone to share the | | | | break when you need it. Although you may be in a |
| driving with, take your turn in blocks so that both of | | | | rush to get to your family for the break, it's much |
| you can have equal rest periods to ensure you are | | | | better to arrive later, but safely. |
| fully alert behind the wheel. | | | | |