Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership (WRSP) is encouraging drivers to prepare well for longer journeys during the summer holiday season by sharing some top tips from National Highways.

Drivers are urged to remember the acronym TRIP to help them remember to:

Top-up – fuel, water and oil

Rest – every two hours

Inspect – tyres and lights

Prepare – plan your journey ahead and check the traffic and weather forecasts

Cllr Andy Crump, Warwickshire County Council Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue and Community Safety, said: “It really is worth taking some extra time before setting off on your journey to make sure you and your vehicle are fully prepared.  This could save time in the long run by helping you and your family get safely to your holiday destination this summer without any issues.”

“Preparations include topping-up your fuel or charge, oil and screen wash before you set off. Running out of fuel can leave you in a dangerous situation and it’s really important your screen wash is topped up so you can clear any debris or dirt off your windscreen.

“Tyres are the only part of a vehicle that are in contact with the road so it’s extremely important for your and your family’s safety to check your tyre tread monthly and at least a week before you go on your trip in case any tyres need replacing. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm.

“Over or under-inflated tyres – even by as little as 10% – can make it more dangerous when braking and steering. You may need to inflate your tyres to a higher pressure if you have more luggage or passengers then normal.  Check your vehicle handbook.

“Plan your journey and make sure you take a 15 minute break from driving every 2 hours so that you stay alert and  fully focussed on the road when you are behind the wheel.

“Although it is summer, there can be some short but heavy downpours that affect visibility and increase the risk of aquaplaning.  Please slow down, move over to lane one and drive according to the conditions.  It’s not worth taking any risks with your family on board.”

WRSP is also asking those towing a caravan, to check caravan tyres too and make sure you know your speed limits before you set off as there are lower speed limits for towing on ‘national limit’ roads. Those limits are:

• 60mph on motorways
• 60mph on dual carriageways
• 50mph on ‘national limit’ single carriageway roads.

Since Dec 2021, UK drivers are no longer required to hold a specific driving licence to tow a trailer or caravan, but if you’ve never towed before, we strongly recommend that you get some training. Both the Caravan and Camping Club and Caravan and Motorhome Club offer one and two day courses to boost driving confidence and manoeuvring skills.

Remember that not every car is legally cleared for towing. All cars that can be used for towing are given a maximum weight they can pull, known as towing capacity. That capacity includes the weight of the caravan or trailer and load. You can find the towing capacity for your vehicle by looking in the owner’s manual, or on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate (see photo).

Last but not least, please have a fabulous holiday and we hope you return refreshed and rejuvenated.

Notes for editors

More advice is available on Vehicle checks | Vehicle safety checks (warksroadsafety.org) and  www.nationalhighways.co.uk