Road Safety Tips this Festive Season

Road Safety Tips this Festive Season 

By Oluwatoyin Ajayi



"Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of Hospitality"

Literally, this quotes by Washington Irving is characterized by kindness, friendliness, generosity, and togetherness. Christmas arouses in us the spirit of travel as we anticipate a hospitable reception by our hosts. Whether to our childhood homes, or relatives in a different city/country, this festive season always pushes us to be on the move.

Yea...Xmas is here again and the kickoff  for holiday travel begins. Its indeed another period to take a break; and as troops will travel 50 miles or more for Christmas holiday, it is important we examine some road safety tips for the Christmas and New Year holidays:

* A serviced and well-equipped car. This is a common issue face by travelers, as they being troubled. A well service and equipped car with available emergency kits or necessary tools, such as: spare tire, carjack and jumper cables, flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, first aid kit, water, non-perishable food items, matches, blankets, and flares or other warning devices in case you experience on the road is well-equipped for travel. Check the tire tread, battery, antifreeze, windows and brakes. Also check that you have a jack and lug wrench and that your spare tire is properly inflated. You should also include an ice scraper, small shovel and a bag of sand or kitty litter in case you get stuck in the snow.

* Allow extra time in your schedule. This is one of the busiest times to travel, this why preparation,  patience and smartness is needed. It is likewise important to not only know your route but to know alternate routes so you feel confident in where you're going at all times.

* Have a well charged cell phone and power-bank. You never know  when you might experience car troubles or where you might be when that happens, so having a cell phone is crucial for utmost safety.  You might need the help of a taxi or other type of ride to get you to your location.

* Avoid driving during late night hours. There is an increased incidence of drunk driving during this time, especially on weekends. Instead, is advisable to drop by at a motel or hotel for the night, which in turn help to keep your energy level high enough for the next move. Driving while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving after drinking alcohol. Schedule your trip to avoid driving during normal sleep hours. Plan for at least a 15-minute rest stop every two hours. Limit driving to 350 miles per day or no more than eight hours on the road to avoid drowsy driving.

* Stay hydrated. Hydration is essential to health. But when you are dehydrated, a few things can happen, like: fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, constipation and overeating. Therefore, keeping a few bottles of water in a cool place and not on a heated surface, will help to balance out your water loss later.

* Have a travel app or a paper map. Travel apps are extremely useful for finding and booking of flights, arranging and making restaurant reservations, organizing trips, navigating new cities and managing logistics. And there several unique apps that can enhance your travel experience, both within and outside Nigeria. Some of which are: Fascinating Nigeria,Trip Advisor, Uber, Airbnb,Trip lt, Packpoint, and Goggle maps. You can also check The Weather Channel to find out the weather conditions of the interstates and roads you will be traveling on.

*Wear a seat belt. One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make to buckle up. 

Seat-belts have been proven to reduce the amount of injuries a person may experience in a road crash. The three point seat-belts with pretensioner technology is known to be the best protection in the event of  a crash. This seat belts go over the waist (lap) and the shoulder (sash) of the occupant, providing better protection than two point seat belts (lap belt only). 

*Avoid Distracted Driving. Do not Drive while doing another activity. Activities such as drinking, eating, talking, chatting or texting while driving are extremely dangerous. Talking and Text messaging are the most common of all. Too many lives have been lost because of a quick text message or phone call. If you must eat, drink water, receive, make calls or text, endeavor to pack somewhere safe. But make sure you always give the road your complete attention.

We want to see you make it safely to your desired destination. So, remember these tips, and have the safest trip this Festive Season.

         Merry Xmas and have a Prosperous 2020

                        Happy Holidays!