Hiring a rental car entails a lot of responsibility and your safety is the upmost concern of the team at Discovery. When it comes to safety on the road, some of the precautions you can take may seem obvious, yet others need special attention to ensure that your journey is safe and enjoyable. The following safety guidelines will ensure that your car hire experience is a secure one, without any hassles:
Your Own Safety upon Arrival
When picking your rental vehicle up from the depot, there are several precautions you should take to ensure ease with your car hire experience. Before you even think about taking off, review all the necessary maps to ensure you know exactly how to get to your destination. There is nothing worse than getting lost halfway there and having to waste time redirecting yourself. Reading a map while driving can be a dangerous task, so you should avoid this at all costs.
When you are ready to embark on your journey, take a seat in your rental vehicle and spend some time familiarising yourself with the interior safety equipment. Ensure you know exactly where the hazard lights, windscreen wipers, indicators and door locks are. Knowing how to use to air conditioner, CD player/ radio and cruise control is also handy, as these can easily act as distractions, especially if you are unfamiliar with them.
Once you are sure of how the car works, it's time to head off, keeping in mind the following tips:
Your Safety While Driving
When it comes to your own personal safety, and the safety of the passengers in the vehicle, some of the parameters may be clear, yet others need closer observance. Obvious rules to abide by include paying attention and wearing your seat belt at all times, abiding by speed limits and not running red lights (even when there is no camera). You should also keep an eye on your temperature gauge, and pull over as soon as you see any signs of the vehicle overheating.
While driving in Australia you will journey through much countryside and outback that is, in many aspects, isolated. Always ensure that your vehicle has plenty of petrol because you don't want to be stranded in unfamiliar territory, without any petrol for miles. The quiet country roads are also prone to the odd hitchhiker or disabled cars on the side of the road. Never stop to pick up either, and if the broken down vehicle looks serious, simply stop in at the nearest service station and inform one of the locals.
While driving at all times you should always leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you, both while driving and idle at traffic lights. The standard distance between two cars should be at least two seconds, but it is better to be safe than sorry! You should also avoid mobile phone conversations, especially in congested traffic, as this causes many unnecessary accidents.
By following these simple suggestions, you can ensure that the safety of you and the passengers in your rental vehicle remains secure.
The Safety of your Rental Vehicle
Making sure that you return your rental vehicle in the same condition as you received it is another important priority that should be kept in mind. First and foremost, make sure you know what kind of petrol the car takes. This can prevent any unnecessary hassle that the wrong fuel can cause.
The most important thing to keep in mind is ensuring you undertake all the necessary crime prevention precautions for your car. Make sure you keep valuables in the trunk or locked up in the glove box. This will keep them safe from the prying eyes of thieves, as there is nothing more tempting to them than an easy steal. It's better to avoid as many broken windows as possible. In the same respect, always ensure that all doors are locked and windows are up when you have parked. This will prevent car theft and will keep you luggage and valuables safe.
The Safety of Others
Although your own safety is of high priority, the safety of others is just as important. This includes other cars around you, cyclists and pedestrians. The rule of thumb is that pedestrians have right of way, so always be on the lookout! You should also remember to always stick to the left lane, unless overtaking. This will not only prevent annoying tailgaters and unnecessary road rage, but it also means you won't incur any nasty fines.
Another important tip is to always indicate your intentions. There is nothing worse than drivers who leave it to the last minute to indicate that they are turning and it usually involves the slamming on of breaks and near collisions.
Driving in Various Weather Conditions
When embarking on a driving holiday, you are sure to encounter many different weather conditions, which will alter the precautions you will need to take while driving.
Driving at night is something that takes a while to adjust to. The darkness means that hazards are no longer as easier to spot, and it also limits the space in front of you that is clearly visible. As soon as the sun begins to set, turn on your headlights, as some cars are harder to see than others. Make sure that you only use your high beams when necessary, and as soon as you see another car approaching, switch them off. There is nothing worse than extremely bright lights in your eyes while trying to drive.
While driving in wet conditions the best thing you can do is take it slow. Turn your headlights on to low beam as this will make it easier for other cars to see you. Use your air conditioner to prevent your windscreen fogging up, as this will ensure you can see clearly at all times.
Fog is an extremely dangerous hazard, but if you have to travel through it, there are several things you can do to make the experience a safe one. First and foremost, NEVER use high beam as this will just make things harder to see. Make sure to dip your head lights, as this will further help being able to see. Remember not to follow too closely and be sure to drive slowly at all times.
Extra Tips for Driving On Holidays
During the holiday periods, the roads can get even more hectic, so it's important to stay cautious and alert at all times. If possible share the driving as much as possible, keeping in mind that all drivers should be over the age of 25. Remember to "Stop-Revive-Survive" at least every two hours as this will prevent driver fatigue. Keep you fluids up and be sure to pack plenty of snacks!
By following these simple guidelines and precautions, you can ensure that your car rental experience is a safe and secure one!
