Here are some driving tips - for the long weekend - drive safe - and have fun! It’s the first Sunday-Monday long weekend of the spring and summer season, and it really seems like it’s been a long time coming. Here are 10 tips to help you survive the drive and stay on the good side of the law. 1. Long weekend traffic will always be slow moving. There is no point trying to make up time by driving aggressively. On multi-lane highways, most drivers believe the left lane is the fastest and for that reason the left lane always has the most traffic, which leads to more “stop and go” periods than the middle lane or right lane. On two-lane, undivided highways, pulling out to pass a number of vehicles only means you catch up to another slower group of vehicles. Slow down, relax, enjoy the drive and forget the passing and rushing. The time you may save is not worth the extra risk. � 2. If you find the high volume of long weekend traffic is too stressful, try leaving earlier or later than the mass exodus. If you have no choice, take some time before you set out to tell yourself, “the traffic will be very busy, just go with the flow.†Allowing oneself to become stressed out and aggressive will only make it worse. � 3. Don’t tailgate. When traffic comes to a halt, you’ll have plenty of time to slow gradually and the vehicle behind you is less likely to run into you. � 4. Be smart and take your time when it comes to packing your vehicle for the drive. Do not overload your vehicle or block your vision. If your vehicle is packed to its limit, check your tire pressure and inflate to the recommended pressure for heavy loads. � 5. If you are towing a trailer, check to be sure all your lights are working and the trailer tires are properly inflated. Driving fast or aggressive while towing a trailer is a recipe for disaster. � 6. If your trip is more than two hours, plan a rest stop part-way through. When at your rest stop, get out of your vehicle to walk and stretch and check your load or trailer to be sure nothing has shifted or is about to fail. � 7. On your way home after the long weekend, be aware of driver fatigue. You have just spent a long day playing and then packing and these activities can tire you out. � 8. Have an alternate route ready should your primary route become too congested by traffic volume or a traffic incident. Having a “Plan B” ready can save a lot of stress. � 9. Check your GPS before you leave and don’t let it distract you while driving. If you have to check directions while en route, use the audio prompts. If you must look at the map, stop so you don’t take your eyes off the road. � 10. Driving with less aggression and more care in cottage-country traffic will be safer, less stressful and you will save on fuel and maintenance costs. Camping or spending time with the family at the cottage is supposed to be fun. Start off on the right foot by driving safely and less aggressively and you will be more relaxed and have extra energy to enjoy the holiday.
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 17:22:41 +0000
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