Road tripping is a beloved pastime for Australians nationwide, so it’s fair to assume most Aussie parents have shared plenty of stories with their kids. But as fun as it is to hit the open road, it’s also well worth practicing some caution by making sure your kids are prepared for the realities of driving on regional roadways.
Being adequately prepared for navigating country roadways starts by making sure young drivers are confident yet still cautious behind the wheel, and are aware of how to drive responsibly in different environments and across different weather conditions.
Whether you’re heading towards the coast or driving into the high country, here are a few vital tips for young drivers to ensure your summer road trip plans go off without a hitch.
Never Hit the Road without Insurance
First and foremost, young drivers should always make sure they’re adequately insured before they get behind the wheel. It is the sole responsibility of the driver to make sure they have suitable insurance coverage that protects either the other party, or both parties in the event of a motor accident.
For most young drivers, a third party insurance policy can help provide cover with a more competitive premium over comprehensive insurance policies. The only catch is that whilst comprehensive car insurance cover includes protection for both your vehicle and third party property in the event you’re found at fault for a motor accident, third party cover only protects the other party (without including cover for damage to your vehicle).
For young drivers, third party policies are not only more affordable, but may also incentivise P platers to drive more responsibly, as their vehicle won’t be covered for damage if they’re found to be at fault for a motor collision.
Get your Car Serviced Before Long Trips
Driving in regional areas can come with unique risks, so it helps to be informed and make sure your vehicle is prepared. For instance, if you’re planning on driving across any unsealed roadways (i.e. gravel roads), then you’ll definitely benefit from storing a tyre jack and spare tyre in your vehicle.
But there are more ways your car can break down than just punctured tyres, and when it comes to driving in regional areas, breaking down may potentially leave you waiting for repairs for days. If you have accommodation booked in advance, this can naturally throw off your entire summer holiday planning.
As such, it’s essential that you get your car serviced before embarking on longer road trips. Your mechanic should be able to detect any operational issues before your trip, reducing your risks of experiencing a breakdown while on the road.
Similarly, making sure your car is prepared for longer journeys also means keeping essential tools and supplies stored in your vehicle. This includes engine oil and transmission fluid top-ups, some bottles of water to refill your water pump/washer hose, and other basic car maintenance essentials.
Familiarise Yourself with your Vehicle
For younger drivers who may be looking to take a new car out for the first time, consider first building familiarity with the vehicle by driving it through urban and suburban areas. That way, you can gain a stronger understanding of how that car moves and turns at different speeds or across different road conditions.
Building familiarity with your vehicle across local drives is a safer way to reduce risks of your losing control on the road (i.e. hydroplaning, sharp swerving/veering, etc.). For P platers in particular, no road trips should be undertaken in a vehicle that you haven’t had at least a few days’ worth of experience in.
For parents, consider driving with your child in the car they intend to travel with to determine whether they’re prepared for long distance driving with that vehicle. This may even be a good excuse to take a little family road trip before your young drivers go off on any trips with their friends over the summer. Taking a fishing trip with family around Lakes Entrance and the Gippsland Lake District can be a great way to experience many of Bairnsdale’s great attractions and scenery, while also testing out familiar and common routes in the Gippsland area.
Account for Rest Stops
With the return of Daylight Savings and the summer holidays right around the corner, young drivers are rearing to drive into the setting sun – but just because the days are getting longer, it doesn’t mean you can expect to drive for hours at a time without a rest stop in between.
According to the Transport Accident Commission, driver fatigue is currently a contributing factor for 16-20% of all road crashes in Australia. And research also suggests that younger drivers are most at risk of fatigue-induced motor collisions.
The simplest way to avoid becoming another statistic is to simply include rest stops into your travel itinerary. This can be as easy as setting up an alarm to go off every 2 hours while you’re driving to alert you that you will need to pull over and find a rest stop.
Drivers are also encouraged to know and look for the warning signs of fatigue, and learn to listen to their mind and body when behind the wheel. The second you feel you may be in need of a break, do not hesitate to give yourself one.
And for those travelling in larger parties, make sure everyone is committed to making sure that drivers are all adequately rested and can be alert when behind the wheel. Hold your friends accountable, and expect them to hold you accountable as well.
Limit Distractions
Often when travelling with friends, we can get caught up in the fun, the gossip, and fighting over the aux cord. While this is all part of the experience of creating memories, young drivers especially need to be alert at all times when behind the wheel.
You’d be surprised by just how quickly road conditions can change in a matter of seconds. Even something as small as missing one ‘Wildlife Crossing’ sign can leave you and your fellow travellers at risk of being in a motor accident. As such, limiting distractions is another major concern for young drivers looking to hit the road this summer.
To limit distractions in larger travel parties, make sure drivers never have access to their phones. Someone else can take calls or texts for you while on the road, or you can simply wait until you’ve reached your destination. Not only is it dangerous and risky, but using your phone while driving can also result in fines and demerit points on your licence. And remember – with the summer holiday period coming with double demerits, even just one or two incidents is all you need to end up losing your licence.
Stay Safe on the Road this Summer in Victoria
Finally, young drivers are encouraged to trust their instincts. If for any reason you feel like the weather may not be suitable for doing any particular leg of your journey, then take a rest day. If you’re feeling at all ill, wait until you’re back to 100%. And if you have reason to suspect that another driver is acting erratically on the road or that there are any other reasons that you’re at a higher risk of experiencing a motor collision, make a judgement call and get yourself and your fellow travellers out of that risk situation as safely as possible.
With a responsible and well-informed approach, you can make sure any risk situation you face during your summer road trip plans is promptly resolved, ensuring that you, your fellow passengers, other drivers, and even wildlife are all safe on roadways this holiday season.
