Anyone hitting the road in the coming days should pay attention to some important details, from vehicle inspection to defensive driving practices. To ensure a safe trip, small precautions make a difference and help avoid unforeseen events and reduce risks along the way.
“The significant increase in traffic on highways during the holiday season increases the likelihood of incidents. The adoption of preventive measures directly contributes to reducing risks and making travel smoother,” emphasizes Marlon Teixeira, director of automobile claims at Allianz Seguros.
The executive notes that the stated guidelines are simple and easy to apply. See key recommendations below.
Check security features
Before traveling, it is essential to check that the vehicle is in good condition to tackle long stretches of road. Start with the tires, including the spare, and calibrate them correctly as instructed in the manual. Unsuitable tires affect fuel consumption and car stability. Also check the operation of the headlights, taillights, windshield wipers and suspension system.
Check critical systems
The pads, discs and fluid must be in good condition to ensure efficient and stable braking. The battery also deserves special attention: charging and starting current tests are recommended, as the electrical system is stressed by the continuous use of air conditioning, ventilation, multimedia, headlights and device charging during the journey. “Plus, a general inspection by a trusted mechanic certifies that items such as suspension, airbags, exhaust and alignment are in order,” Marlon points out.
Plan your route and travel times
Define the route that will be taken and analyze the state of the highways. Navigation apps help identify congested, under construction or uneven sections in real time. Where possible, it is a good idea to avoid peak times, such as late afternoon, Friday evening and Saturday morning, when flow is typically greater.
Use your seat belt
The seat belt must be used throughout the journey, including by passengers seated in the rear seat. A study carried out by the Brazilian Association of Traffic Medicine (Abramet) reinforces the importance of the equipment and shows that its use reduces the risk of death by at least 60% for those in the front seat of the vehicle and by 44% for those in the back seat.
“During a collision, unbelted occupants tend to move around inside the vehicle and hit other passengers, which increases the severity of injuries. Wearing a seat belt in the back seat is therefore as important as in the front,” emphasizes Marlon.
Respect speed limits
Even on the least busy sections, it is important to maintain the authorized speed and respect the signs. Unsafe overtaking and speeding are among the leading causes of accidents on highways, especially during long holiday periods when traffic increases. Using the turn signal correctly when changing lanes, entering or exiting the highway also helps make traffic more predictable and safer.
Do not use your cell phone while driving
Although it is considered an offense, many drivers talk on their cell phones or text while driving. According to Abramet, the risk of a driver being involved in an accident increases by 400% when they check their text messages and, even more so, when they type. Therefore, the cell phone should only be used as a support and with voice commands, so as not to distract attention.
Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you
A convenient way to calculate this distance is the “two-second rule”. Choose a fixed point on the road, such as a sign, and count the time between when the car in front of you passes it and when your vehicle passes that same point.
“Maintaining an adequate distance from the vehicle in front is a fundamental safety measure, as it increases the driver’s perception and reaction time. On motorways, this interval is decisive for avoiding rear-end collisions, especially in situations of unexpected braking or sudden changes in flow,” emphasizes Marlon.
Adapt your driving to the weather conditions
In case of rain, reduce your speed and increase your safety distance. In this scenario, there is also a risk of aquaplaning, when the vehicle can lose contact between the tires and the asphalt when passing through sheets of water.
“If this happens, stay calm, gradually remove your foot from the accelerator, avoid braking suddenly and hold the steering wheel firmly, keeping the wheels aligned until the car regains grip,” emphasizes the director.
Anticipate risky situations
Observing the behavior of other drivers and anticipating unexpected behavior is essential for defensive driving. This involves paying attention to subtle signs, such as sudden lane changes, sudden braking or vehicles parked on the side of the road, and adjusting speed and distance preemptively.
“An attentive driver can identify behaviors that often precede accidents, thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of collisions,” concludes Marlon.
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