September 15, 2008

As students take to the road for their new life, possibly away from home for the first time, the last thing on their minds if probably driver safety.  Ready to take on the world it’s easy for students to take their eye off the road, or overload their cars for this exciting road trip into their future.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists have issued a guide for students to help them move into their campus life safely.  Heavily laden, often small second hand cars  are not the ideal removal vehicle and the IAM’s guide will help make that journey as safe as possible.  Tips include how to load their cars and how to avoid fatigue. 

The tips are not confined to students and should be observed for anyone making a long journey, wanting to make their life easy and their journey safe..

• Make sure belongings are securely packed - bear in mind, drivers can face prosecution for travelling with an ‘unsecure load’. More importantly, loose objects can be distracting and if the driver needs to brake sharply, unsecured items could fly forward and hit those sitting in front.

• Loading a car until it’s ready to burst can obstruct the already dangerous ‘blind spot’ view further, making the driver more vulnerable when changing lanes. Loads should be made as small as possible and positioned for a clear view. Students should take essentials on the first trip and ask family to bring more when they visit.

• A long drive can lead to fatigue, so drivers should get plenty of rest beforehand. For the journey, comfortable, loose clothing should be worn, the driving seat should be adjusted to a safe upright position and the heating/air-conditioning set to a cool – not cold – temperature, regular breaks should be taken at least every two hours and driving at night should be avoided.

• Having a full car will use more fuel; keep an eye on the fuel level to ensure it doesn’t run out.

• Check tyre pressures before setting off. Tyres on a full and heavy car usually require higher pressure. The right pressures prevent unnecessary wear, excess fuel consumption and potentially dangerous blow outs.

• Finally, driving on unfamiliar roads can be unnerving. Sat navs can help and enable the driver to re-route quickly and relatively easily, however, they can be expensive so it is best to plan the journey before hitting the road. 

University is a life changing experience so why not give yourself the best possible start, getting you and all your possessions there in one piece!

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