Summer is the season preferred by the Spanish for vacations. The good weather and the end of academic activities marks a new cycle in the work calendar. For a few days we leave the routine of the rest of the year to take a short break, which in many cases we take advantage of to go on a trip with family or friends.
Most of the trips we make to reach our destinations are done by car. Last year, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) recorded nearly 95 million long-distance trips during the summer, which gives an idea of the number of vehicles that fill the roads from the end of June to the beginning of September.
Respecting traffic regulations is the best antidote there is to prevent accidents. But it is not enough to drive carefully and respect rest times to be safe from suffering a road accident. There are many other factors that we must take into account before starting the march, as the DGT reminds us through its publications. Below we review the advice provided by Traffic to users to reach their holiday destination without any problems.
The poor condition of the vehicle or the lack of maintenance influences the risk of suffering an accident. Of the nearly 160,000 road accidents that were recorded in 2021, 28% of them had in common that they involved vehicles with some mechanical defect, warns the DGT.
The battery, very sensitive not only to the cold winter temperatures but also to the sweltering summer heat, and the tires are the elements that cause the most setbacks to motorists, according to data from the RACE Observatory. In addition to reviewing these two important components in the safety of the car, we must not forget to carry out other checks.
One of the most tedious tasks when going on vacation is charging the car. As much as we try to reduce the luggage, we always end up taking extra things. For this reason we have to be very careful when placing suitcases and other objects in the luggage rack, so it is advisable to follow the advice of the DGT.
The place where luggage should be placed is the trunk and, if necessary, the luggage rack or the roof trunk, but we should never deposit it in the passenger compartment. We should only leave within reach those objects that may be needed during the trip, but always stored in the glove compartment or in the storage spaces that most cars equip.
When placing the load, we must deposit the heaviest objects in the lower part of the trunk and anchor it or secure it with a net so that it does not move. In this way the vehicle will maintain the center of gravity thus improving its stability. Even if there are no passengers in the rear of the car, these seat belts can still be fastened to prevent cargo from entering the vehicle in the event of a crash.
Before starting a trip, especially if it is long, it is important to plan the trip choosing the route that best suits our needs. We can consult the available routes and choose wisely, eliminating unwanted sections from the route to avoid going through areas under construction or that accumulate traffic jams, as well as paths full of curves. We must not forget that it is necessary to take a short break every 2 hours or 200 km, but if signs of fatigue or drowsiness appear beforehand, stop as soon as possible.
The DGT recommends having the insurance policy and the receipt of the last payment at hand, despite the fact that this document is not mandatory to carry in the car.
