Donning the hat as the designated captain of fun for the holidays can take a lot of planning and control, especially if you are planning to take your children along. The end goal is to make the holidays memorable for the right reasons. To avoid fizzling out before the trip has even begun, we have put together five common mistakes to avoid putting a dampener on your trip.
1. Failing to plan before you take the wheel
There is a place for spontaneity, but when it comes to your holiday trip planning will ensure that you have a holiday that doesn’t end in stress. Not planning a trip can bring on an array of problems such as being stuck in rush hour, running on an empty tank in a location that has petrol stations far away which can blow a hole in your budget. Planning your route and accommodation in advance can help you set up a budget that can adequately cover expenses, especially if there is an emergency.
2. Not checking your wheels
Not doing a general check up on your car can throw a spanner in the works when you are travelling. Having your car serviced closer to the holiday trip date can let you know if there is any issue that needs to be fixed. It can also save you from becoming stranded in the middle of nowhere. Before you hit the road ensure that you check that the tyre pressure, lights, wipers, water and oil levels are up to par.
3. Being realistic about travel times
Being realistic on how much distance you can cover in a day is essential, and can also help block the cries of ‘are we there yet’ from the back-seat drivers. There will be stops that you will make during the course of the trip that needs to be considered when it comes to affecting your time of arrival. Therefore, estimate the distance according to traffic, possible roadworks, rest and petrol stops. In the end, this can help you take a paced trip with adequate rest time so that you arrive alive.
4. Forgetting driving rules
The anticipation to kick back and relax at your selected holiday destination can have some people driving like loons. No one likes to be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, but breaking the rules to get to your destination quickly can be dangerous, even deadly. According to Safety Statistics, 1,224 Australians were involved in fatal accidents in 2017. Accidents are known to happen during peak time. Consider relaxing and following the required rules to ensure that you do end up seeing your holiday destination.
5. Forgetting the snacks
If you are travelling with children, stocking up on snacks is essential. However, ensure that you stock up on snacks that are not too messy for the younger kids. Snacks can also help you avoid making too many stops. Stocking up on enough snacks can also prevent people from becoming irritable and hold their attention in the process.