This coming weekend, holidays begin in southern and western Austria, some German states, and parts of the Netherlands. From Friday morning to Sunday, heavy travel traffic is expected on the southern transit routes.
For the start of the holidays in southern and western Austria, ASFINAG has compiled tips for a relaxed and safe holiday drive.
ASFINAG Recommends Breaks and Proper Nutrition for a Safe and Relaxed Holiday Drive
Breaks are important: Take a short break at least every two hours. With the ASFINAG app, you can find the next rest area more quickly. On average, there is a rest opportunity every nine kilometers on the 2,250-kilometer-long highway network.
Enough sleep and nutrition: Only get into your car if you have had enough sleep. Suitable snacks for the road should be handy, easy to digest, and nutrient-rich to properly nourish the body. It is also important to carry enough water for all passengers in the vehicle. Especially in high temperatures, the body’s water requirement increases significantly.
Distractions on Holiday Drives are Dangerous
Safety with children: When traveling with children, it is especially important to pay attention to safety. The most important aspect is a suitable child seat and its correct installation. Also, research the country-specific regulations in the travel destination. Bring a selection of materials for varied entertainment: toys, a coloring book for the holiday, colored pencils, audiobooks.
Avoid distractions: Focus on the road and driving. Not only can smartphones be highly distracting, but also searching in bags or spilling hot coffee are dangerous distractions on the highway.
Holiday Trip: Safety Risk Due to Incorrect Loading Scheme and Wrong Shoes
Safe Loading Scheme: Heavy items should be stored at the bottom and lighter ones on top. It is important that the luggage never protrudes above the top edge of the backrest, as it can become a dangerous projectile during a braking maneuver.
Well-fitting Shoes: Flip-flops are a popular footwear choice in the summer months, but they are not suitable for driving. They can easily slip or get caught, posing an unnecessary safety risk. Therefore, make sure to wear light but well-fitting shoes.
Vehicle Check and Route Planning Before Holiday Trip
Vehicle Check: Check tire pressure, oil, windshield washer, coolant, and brake fluid!
Route and Journey Planning: It is important to plan your car trip carefully. Which route is fast, safe, and pleasant? What construction sites might be on your route? Are there any planned closures? What is the traffic forecast? Is heavy travel expected? What alternative routes are available? What rest options are there along the way? With the ASFINAG app, you are well-informed on these points as well.
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.
