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Safe Driving Tips For The Festive Season

<p>As a proud partner of the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF), Right2Drive is promoting their&nbsp;<em>Make it Home for Christmas&nbsp;</em>campaign. During the months of December 2021 and January 2022, 200 people lost their lives on Australian roads. Having a road accident, whether at fault or not, is an extremely stressful and potentially life-changing event. We’d like to take this opportunity to urge all road users to take extra care over the festive season to prevent loss of life. Below are a few road safety tips to follow this holiday season.</p><p><img alt="" src="https://www.right2drive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022.12.20-Blog-Post-Image-1.jpg" title="" resizable="false"></p><h2>Check Your Vehicle Before You Go</h2><p>If you’re planning a road trip, make sure your vehicle is in the right condition to be on the road. Are your brakes working correctly? Have all the fluid levels been checked and topped up? Are your tyres roadworthy? Are all your lights and windscreen wipers functioning properly? Taking your vehicle in for a service before you take a trip helps to ensure that everything is in good working condition and can help prevent break downs and accidents on the roads.</p><h2>Plan Your Route Before You Get Behind the Wheel</h2><p>Driving on unfamiliar roads can be stressful and sometimes the GPS doesn’t always select the best route for you. It’s advisable to familiarise yourself with the route before you set out so you can be more prepared for the type of driving you can expect. It also minimises the need to adjust the GPS while you’re driving and allows you to stay focused on the road ahead.</p><h2>Make Sure You’ve Had Plenty of Sleep</h2><p>With many people returning home or visiting family over the holidays, there seems to be increased pressure to arrive at a destination by a certain time. But waking up early to arrive at a destination earlier and getting fewer hours of sleep is not the best idea. Remember that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-deprivation/sleep-deprivation-and-reaction-time#:~:text=When%20we're%20underslept%2C%20our,and%20an%20increased%20reaction%20time." rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">when you’ve had less sleep, your reaction times to external stimuli are slower,</a>&nbsp;which could make you more susceptible to an accident. Make sure you’ve had plenty of quality sleep before you get behind the wheel.</p><h2>Be Realistic With Your Travel Times And Follow the Rules of the Road</h2><p>When travelling over the festive season, there are going to be more road users, resulting in more traffic and slower travel times. It’s best to plan ahead and factor this into your journey instead of becoming frustrated while on the road. Avoid rushing and making rash decisions when driving. The road rules are there for a reason and you should always follow them. Make sure you know the rules if you’re travelling interstate – they may differ across Australian states and territories.</p><p><img alt="" src="https://www.right2drive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022.12.20-Blog-Post-Image-2.jpg" title="" resizable="false"></p><h2>Take Regular Breaks</h2><p>It’s best to stop often when taking a long road trip. The<a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/holiday-travel/long-trips#:~:text=You%20should%20take%20a%20break,pull%20into%20on%20your%20journey." rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">&nbsp;Queensland Government</a>&nbsp;recommends taking a break every 2 hours and not driving for more than 8 – 10 hours per day. Avoid pushing yourself and trying to fight fatigue – rather keep yourself and other road users safe by taking short breaks. Plan your stops before you drive, and make sure you stay hydrated.</p><h2>Avoid Distractions While Driving</h2><p>Keep your eyes on the road when you’re driving and make sure you’ve made adjustments to the side mirrors, seat position and sound system before you start your journey. Avoid the temptation to check your phone, even if you’re stopped at a red light or in traffic. By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/minimising-distractions-whilst-drivinghttps://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/minimising-distractions-whilst-driving" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">minimising your distractions on the road</a>, you have a better chance of arriving at your destination safely.</p><h2>Drive to the Conditions</h2><p>Besides following the driving rules in Australia, you should also be adapting to the different driving conditions that you encounter. Knowing how to react in foggy or misty weather, during heavy rain or when the road is icy could all prevent an accident from occurring. By driving safely in all situations, you can keep yourself and other road users safe.</p><h2>Contact Right2Drive If You’re in a Not At Fault Car Accident</h2><p>Although it’s important to follow these tips for safe driving, unfortunately, accidents do still happen. If you are involved in a not at fault car accident, Right2Drive may be able to assist you with a like-for-like accident replacement vehicle. We are open over the festive season to assist eligible drivers.</p>

<p>Having a road accident, whether at fault or not, is an extremely stressful and potentially life-changing event. We’d like to take this opportunity to urge all road users to take extra care over the festive season to prevent loss of life. Below are a few road safety tips to follow this holiday season.</p><p></p><h2>Check Your Vehicle Before You Go</h2><p>If you’re planning a road trip, make sure your vehicle is in the right condition to be on the road. Are your brakes working correctly? Have all the fluid levels been checked and topped up? Are your tyres roadworthy? Are all your lights and windscreen wipers functioning properly? Taking your vehicle in for a service before you take a trip helps to ensure that everything is in good working condition and can help prevent break downs and accidents on the roads.</p><h2>Plan Your Route Before You Get Behind the Wheel</h2><p>Driving on unfamiliar roads can be stressful and sometimes the GPS doesn’t always select the best route for you. It’s advisable to familiarise yourself with the route before you set out so you can be more prepared for the type of driving you can expect. It also minimises the need to adjust the GPS while you’re driving and allows you to stay focused on the road ahead.</p><h2>Make Sure You’ve Had Plenty of Sleep</h2><p>With many people returning home or visiting family over the holidays, there seems to be increased pressure to arrive at a destination by a certain time. But waking up early to arrive at a destination earlier and getting fewer hours of sleep is not the best idea. Remember that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-deprivation/sleep-deprivation-and-reaction-time#:~:text=When%20we're%20underslept%2C%20our,and%20an%20increased%20reaction%20time." rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">when you’ve had less sleep, your reaction times to external stimuli are slower,</a>&nbsp;which could make you more susceptible to an accident. Make sure you’ve had plenty of quality sleep before you get behind the wheel.</p><h2>Be Realistic With Your Travel Times And Follow the Rules of the Road</h2><p>When travelling over the festive season, there are going to be more road users, resulting in more traffic and slower travel times. It’s best to plan ahead and factor this into your journey instead of becoming frustrated while on the road. Avoid rushing and making rash decisions when driving. The road rules are there for a reason and you should always follow them. Make sure you know the rules if you’re travelling interstate – they may differ across Australian states and territories.</p><p><img alt="It's important to take a break at least every 2 hours when you're driving. " src="https://www.right2drive.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022.12.20-Blog-Post-Image-2.jpg" title="" resizable="false"></p><h2>Take Regular Breaks</h2><p>It’s best to stop often when taking a long road trip. It is recommended that you take a break every 2 hours and avoid driving for more than 8 – 10 hours per day. Avoid pushing yourself and trying to fight fatigue – rather keep yourself and other road users safe by taking short breaks. Plan your stops before you drive, and make sure you stay hydrated.</p><h2>Avoid Distractions While Driving</h2><p>Keep your eyes on the road when you’re driving and make sure you’ve made adjustments to the side mirrors, seat position and sound system before you start your journey. Avoid the temptation to check your phone, even if you’re stopped at a red light or in traffic. By<a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/minimising-distractions?__hstc=204851983.b8b8f3aa107f247ef6797b9303776803.1684216087583.1691555598551.1691792805311.13&amp;__hssc=204851983.10.1691792805311&amp;__hsfp=1577540398" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">&nbsp;minimising your distractions on the road</a>, you have a better chance of arriving at your destination safely.</p><h2>Drive to the Conditions</h2><p>Besides following the driving rules in Australia, you should also be adapting to the different driving conditions that you encounter. Knowing how to react in foggy or misty weather, during heavy rain or when the road is icy could all prevent an accident from occurring. By driving safely in all situations, you can keep yourself and other road users safe.</p><h2>Contact Right2Drive If You’re in a Not At Fault Car Accident</h2><p>Although it’s important to follow these tips for safe driving, unfortunately, accidents do still happen. If you are involved in a not at fault car accident, Right2Drive may be able to assist you with a like-for-like accident replacement vehicle. We are open over the festive season to assist eligible drivers.</p>

 Not At Fault after An Accident?

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Who Is At Fault In A Car Accident?

Not At Fault after An Accident?

After a car accident, it is advisable to do the following to protect your rights: Document the scene by taking photographs of the vehicles, registration plates, road signs, vehicle damage, and road conditions. Exchange contact information (phone number and address) with the other driver(s) and witnesses (if any). Also, ask for the driver’s insurance details. Notifying the police and seeking medical attention creates an official record of the incident, which will be useful for an insurance or personal injury claim later. Inform your insurance company about the incident and share additional details if requested.

What do I do after a car accident to protect my rights?

When a car accident is not your fault legally, do not leave the scene. Take photos and exchange details with the other party. Notify the police and speak with witnesses to get their contact details. Finally, notify your insurance company about the incident.

What to do after a car accident not your fault legally?

To document evidence at the scene of the car accident, you should take clear photos and videos, note the time and location of the incident, and collect information from witnesses. Later, obtain a copy of the police report and medical records after your check-up.

What to do in a car accident to document evidence?

If you’re facing car accident damage when uninsured, you can consider filing a third-party claim, where you can attempt to recover repair costs through the at-fault driver’s insurer. Seeking legal advice is advisable. A lawyer can help you understand your options and take legal action if necessary. If you were not at fault for the accident and need a replacement vehicle, contact Right2Drive to see how we can help you. Note that Right2Drive can only assist you if the at-fault driver is insured and admits fault or is proven liable.

What to do with car accident damage when uninsured?

If you’re in a car accident that’s not your fault, document the scene and maintain detailed records that include photos, witness details, police reports, and medical records. Speak with our team at Right2Drive to see if we can provide you with a replacement vehicle.

Safe Driving Tips For The Festive Season

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