6 top tips for driving at Christmas

As the year comes to a close, many motorists are preparing to make the journey to visit friends and family for the Christmas period. Making the necessary vehicle inspections and preparations before leaving, whether it's a short trip or a lengthy journey, may spare you a lot of worry, time, and money. We’ve put together a list of tips for safe holiday driving.

1. Carry out vehicle checks

Anytime you go a long distance, you should always perform routine inspections on your car. Waiting for the next MOT or service is a typical error and can causecommon failures, which is the last thing you want on your trip home for Christmas! The most crucial inspections to perform before driving are checking your tyres' pressure, tread depth, screen wash levels, engine oil levels, and coolant levels.

2. Stock up on emergency supplies

Having an emergency pack ready may make a big difference if you get stuck on a lengthy journey. Before leaving your home, make sure to pack your car with the emergency supplies you might need if you’re left waiting at the side of the road. We recommend taking:

• Food

• Water

• High-visibility clothing

• Blankets

• Torches

• Screenwash

• Engine oil

• Spare tyre

• De-icer

• Shovel

3. Stay away from your car after drinking

Although it may seem obvious, it's crucial to avoid getting behind the wheel of your car after a drink. Drink-driving puts you and others around you in danger and might result in criminal penalties if you’re stopped by the police.

You might believe that it’s OK to sit or even sleep in their car after drinking, but even this is prohibited and may result in legal action. So if you want to drink to celebrate the holiday season, leave your car keys at home.

4. Prepare for cold weather

As we've seen recently, the UK's temperatures have dropped dramatically, which may cause ice and snow to form on the roads. Before starting your journey, be sure to check the wear on your tyres. You should also stock up on de-icer and an ice scraper to ensure that you can remove any ice from your windscreen.

5. Give yourself time

Giving yourself plenty of time to get home for Christmas is vital. Roads busy with drivers off to see their loved ones cause more traffic than usual on the highways. Giving yourself more time allows for more frequent stops to rest. If possible, begin your journey before Friday, December 23, when holiday traffic will start to increase.

6. Hide valuables and presents

Most likely, your car is packed with thoughtful gifts as well as your personal belongings. Store them in the boot or behind a cover on the rear seats to keep them hidden. Additionally, if you plan to stop somewhere overnight, be sure to take your valuables out of the car and keep them with you inside.