En route with the car

• Take plenty of breaks.
  Fatigue is the holidaymaker's biggest enemy, so make sure you get enough sleep before you leave.

• Take a 10-minute break every two hours.
  And don't miss a break, even if you've almost reached your destination. Still starting to feel tired? Take a nap for 15 to 20 minutes.

• Preferably drive during the day.
  Leaving at night to avoid traffic jams might be tempting, but it also involves risks. Darkness soon gets tedious and if your fellow travellers are sleeping, boredom is even more likely to strike. Other road users also tend to be less alert.

• Use the air conditioning correctly.

  • Don’t switch on the air conditioning right away. Instead, let the car cool down by driving with the windows open for the first few kilometres and running the ventilation on full. Only then turn on the air conditioning and the internal air circulation.

  • Don’t set the temperature lower than five or seven degrees below the outside temperature. This will help you to avoid a shock when you get out.

  • Don't let the air conditioning blow in your face, otherwise you could get a sore throat and headaches.

  • Switch off the air conditioning before you arrive at your destination, to help you get used to the outside temperature.

  • Have the air conditioning maintained at least every two years to avoid bacteria and allergens accumulating.

• Hands off your smartphone.
  Like being contactable anytime, anywhere? If so, make sure your smartphone is connected to your car. Use a hands-free set or Bluetooth to ensure as little distraction as possible. Really want to call safely? If so, pull over or call back later.

• Tick off your checklist.
  Do you have everything you need to travel safely? Use this checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Happy travels!