Things to note when driving long distances home for Tet
With the high demand for train and bus tickets during the Lunar New Year, many people have chosen to drive their whole family home for Tet. Having good experience in long-distance driving will help you feel more secure when getting in the car.
Driving long distances is a challenge for drivers, driving a car home during Tet with heavy traffic is not a simple task. Therefore, when deciding to go home by self-driving car, you should master some experiences to ensure safety:
1. Take some time to check the car
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On long journeys, the car is not only a "companion" but also a means of determining the comfort and safety for you and your family during the trip. Therefore, before setting off, you should take a few minutes to check the car. Check the condition of the tires, make sure the tire pressure is according to the manufacturer's recommended parameters, which are posted inside the driver's door.
In addition, check whether the car's brake system is working properly or not. Some parts such as windshield wipers, headlights, etc. should also be checked carefully because these are factors that contribute to ensuring safety in different driving conditions.
The best way, before the day of going home by car, you should bring your car to a service station or dealer for inspection and maintenance.
2. Prepare some spare equipment
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You should prepare some equipment such as spare headlight bulbs, battery jumper cables or spare tire check, disassembly and installation equipment, tire pump... in case the car has problems on the road. Because in a long journey, not every road has a repair service station available in case your car has a flat tire, a weak battery, or a burnt out headlight bulb.
3. Experience when driving long distances
Driving home for Tet means you will have to drive hundreds of kilometers, and experience many roads with different traffic conditions. Therefore, you should note:
- Do not tailgate the vehicle in front:This is something you should keep in mind when driving on any road, especially on the highway in foggy or rainy conditions. Because this will limit your vision and you will not be able to react in time when the car in front brakes suddenly. You should keep a safe distance from the car in front and always control your speed. In case of encountering an obstacle, you should brake and slowly reduce speed to ensure safety.
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- Do not overtake vehicles in the same direction when there is a right turn ahead:Because at this time, the driver's vision is limited, the body of the car in front will obstruct the observation of the oncoming direction.
- Never overtake and then suddenly slow down:Do not accelerate past the car in front and then suddenly let go of the accelerator. This will surprise the car you are passing and can easily lead to an accident. Instead, maintain your speed after passing the car in front to create a safe distance.
- Do not drive parallel to trucks or container trucks:On one-way roads with two or more lanes, you should not drive parallel to trucks or container trucks. Driving parallel to trucks not only limits your vision and ability to cover your surroundings, but also makes it very easy to collide. Therefore, when observing an empty road, you should pass the truck to ensure safety.
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- Comply with the correct speed:Always observe the signs to drive at the prescribed speed. Failure to comply with the prescribed speed may result in a fine and endanger yourself and other vehicles on the road.
- Do not use the phone while driving:The habit of texting and listening to the phone is extremely dangerous while driving. If you are driving on a crowded road, at high speed or at many intersections, it is best to forget about the phone. Currently, most car models are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity to the phone, you can answer calls through a button on the steering wheel or on the DVD player, the sound will be transmitted through the speaker and you do not have to take your eyes and hands off the road.
- Use high beam and low beam properly:When driving at night and without street lights, you should use the appropriate high beam - low beam mode to ensure safety. You should only use high beam (headlights) on roads with few vehicles and when you see lights from the opposite direction, immediately switch to low beam mode (near beam).
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- Should allocate reasonable time to rest:Do not drive continuously for a long time. If you are tired or have signs of drowsiness, you must pull over to a safe place to rest for about 20-30 minutes. Take regular breaks in between to relax your mind. Adhering to the above rules will make your trip much safer.
