8 essential tips if you’re travelling by car this Easter weekend

With Easter weekend upon us, many are preparing to head cross-country to celebrate the holiday.

If you’re planning on travelling, it’s going to be busy on the roads with staycations on the rise and the beginning of tourist season starting at the beginning of April.

Irish Insurance experts Quote Devil has shared 8 crucial tips if you’re planning to travel this Easter weekend.

Make a basic mechanical check of the car 
Check your lights, oil level, coolant levels, tyre pressure and windscreen wiper fluid. We’re expecting brighter weather in Ireland this weekend which can lead to more debris on your screen so being prepared is important.

These are all crucial to long journeys (and also cheaper to top up at home).

Get your directions sorted before you leave. 
Fumbling with a phone for maps or an email or text directions is the cause of a huge number of accidents every year. It’s illegal to use your phone behind the wheel for anything other than calling emergency services, so secure your phone with the directions before setting off and if you have any issues, be sure to pull over to sort them.

Check your fuel levels
The AA report that they are called out to a dozen cars that have completely run out of fuel every year. There can be large gaps between service stations and missing one could cause a huge delay to your holiday, so check your levels before you leave to avoid issues.

Go for a spin 
No matter how much you’ve been driving over the past few weeks, the chances are you won’t have done too many long journeys. It’s good to try a few quick trips before you set off, loading the car up with family and luggage to get it used to the extra weight. 

Set off early to avoid the traffic
It will be busy on the roads, so to avoid any unnecessary delays set off early and give yourself plenty of time.

If you're tired, pull over 
One of the biggest killers on the road is being tired when driving. Make sure you take regular breaks and keep yourself and your family entertained en route to stay safe. If you’re feeling tired, pull over somewhere safe and grab a coffee or take a 15-minute nap.

Don't drive home if you think you might still be over the limit or if you are hungover
If you’ve drank alcohol the night before you should always be cautious before getting behind the wheel. If you plan to drink, choose another designated driver for the day after and avoid driving completely.

Make sure your breakdown cover is up to date in case you hit any snags on the road
Easter weekend is one of the busiest on the roads, don’t get caught out by not having breakdown cover when it may be a long time for help to reach you.

Always make sure your insurance and breakdown cover is up to date before long journeys.

Based in Ireland, Quote Devil provides the best insurance quotes for cars, vans, homes, commercial vehicles, travel, pets, and more. Quote Devil's aim is simple - providing great value to our customers by combining quality insurance products with excellent cover at the best price possible and in the fastest time possible.