Here’s an interesting question for you: When do most car accidents happen in the UK?
Most people would assume that winter months, when the weather is wet and nights are dark, create a favourable terrain for accidents. But in reality, only November and October make it among the top 5 of the most dangerous months on the road in the UK. The remaining months cover spring and summer: May, June and July. It’s hard to blame car crashes and other road-based issues on the bad weather. The majority of complaints occur during warmer months of the year. It’s fair to say that May, June, and July are the preferred months for holidaying on the road, namely road trips and long-distance journeys.
Unfortunately, 2020 has been a peculiar year for holidaymakers, which is why road trips are more likely to occur even during the winter months. As a result, you want to make sure you are confident in your car and your ability to handle issues on the road.
1. Is the car road-safe?
Asking yourself if your vehicle is safe to use on the road is not the kind of question that comes to your mind. However, most car drivers have left their vehicles unattended for several months this year. Therefore, it’s good to perform essential road safety checks. First of all, your MOT is, of course, vital. But, as garages and test centres have reopened, most car owners would have already taken the appropriate measures. Yet, as the commute journeys are becoming more infrequent, you want to make sure you’ve checked your engine oil level, tyre pressure and tyre tread depth. If you’ve received a recommendation about your brake pads or disks during the MOT, you may want to get those changed before your road trip.
2. Do I feel safe in the car?
Even if the car has passed the MOT successfully, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to feel safe on the road. Why? Older vehicles tend to require high repair costs as parts need to be replaced. Yet, while potential future issues can be flagged during the MOT or service, the repair and replacement expenses could get overwhelming. That’s precisely why it’s a good idea to avoid taking an old vehicle on a road trip. Instead, you may want to postpone your trip until you can find a budget-friendly and reliable vehicle, such as the new Vauxhall Astra, which has received the approval of satisfied owners in 2020. The Astra came 59th out of 75 models for reliability, safety, and cost.
3. Am I safely prepared for all eventualities?
Preparing for potential issues is the best way of preventing them from ruining your road trip. Bearing in mind that most cars in the UK haven’t had a lot of road exposure in 2020, breakdowns are more likely to occur. Yet, if you’ve got all the tools to look after yourself and your car, your breakdown may only slow you down by a few hours rather than cancel the trip altogether.
Car accidents and breakdowns are more likely to occur in 2020 as people are booking road trips and long-distance holidays in the UK after lockdown. After a long period of idleness, vehicles could exhibit alarming signs of issues. As a car owner, the first thing you want to do is to consider your safety, in the vehicle and on the road.
