Summer is here – and drivers are making more journeys as they visit friends and family, or head away on holiday. If you’re frequently driving alone, it pays to be prepared for a range of eventualities. That’s why we’re bringing you the following tips for staying safe while you get yourself from A to B. We hope it brings you the confidence to keep driving, and enjoying the freedom it brings.
Online trackers
You don’t need to be entirely ‘alone’ when you drive. There are social media apps that allow you to share your physical movements with another as you travel. Although they may, at first, seem tricky to use, they’re not, and by setting aside a quiet time to study them, they soon make sense. Try WhatsApp’s ‘Live Location’ function so a trusted friend or family member can follow your road journey virtually. The function can be turned off when you’ve reached your destination.
Car care
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to minimise any chance of break downs. Keep oil and windscreen liquid topped up, and always fuel your car during daylight hours – don’t leave it until after dark. Make sure you have an up to date vehicle assistance subscription with a reliable organisation such as AA, and keep their phone number taped to the dashboard of your car.
Phone battery pack
Battery packs are available for mobile phones. Purchase one, keep it charged, and keep it in your bag. This way, a flat phone battery won’t stop you calling for help if you need to.
Lock and leave
If you need to access facilities such as toilets or a garage, even briefly, during a journey, lock your doors, and stow you keys in a safe pocket, not a bag which you are carrying. Be aware of anyone loitering as you approach your vehicle, and always check in the back of your car before you unlock and get in.
Travel early
When undertaking a longer journey, start early in the day. Not only will traffic be quieter, but you’ll have time to rest (in a safe spot such as a cafe, a busy public park, or on a comfy seat in a public library).
Share your plans
Let others know your movements and what time you expect to arrive at your destination. If you’re not heading to friends, you can share this information with your accommodation provider, and give them a number to call if you don’t arrive within a specified time frame.
Plan your route
Use the internet to plan your route before you leave home. Google Maps will help you work out distance and travel times, fuel and toilet stops, and sights to see.
Practise make perfect
Don’t leave it until you get a flattie to know how to change a tyre. Check out AA’s helpful video on how to go about this procedure, and be sure to practise it before you leave on a journey.
Guard your intentions
Part of the enjoyment of travelling is casual conversation with those we meet en route. However, when travelling alone, it pays to be a little guarded. Don’t disclose your travel route or intentions to a stranger, or mention you are travelling alone.
Unwanted company
In the unlikely even you feel you’re being followed by a vehicle, or are being threatened by another road user, call 111, and drive to a police station or the most public place you can find (such as a service station). Lock your doors, and wait for help to arrive.
As you drive alone, remember, although caution is advised, the chances of anything happening to you or your vehicle are minimal. So, most of all, enjoy your journey, whether it’s short or long!