Slow down to survive over holiday period

By Tania Martin
MORTORISTS are being urged to remember to slow down and take a break when tired while driving this Easter.
But before hitting the road for that long awaited Easter break, motorists should remember to do a safety check on their car.
Firstly it’s always important to check water and oil to avoid getting stuck out on a main highway somewhere with a split head gasket.
The next step is to check the tread and the air in tyres.
One of the main things motorists need to remember when taking long trips over the holiday period is to always take a break when tired.
According to the RACV, tiredness is one of the major causes of traffic fatalities and collisions during the holidays.
In a recent RACV survey it showed that more than 200 young people who took the survey aged between 18-25 had driven while tired.
It also shows that a third of those drivers said they nearly crashed as a result of driving tired.
The RACV has warned drivers to avoid driving while tired because it can be deadly – it is a major factor in a quarter of fatal crashes on Victorian roads.
The signs of tiredness to look out for are yawning, sore or heavy eyes, having difficulty remembering the last few kilometres and drifting in and out of lanes.
Winding down the window or turning up the car radio is not the way to combat tiredness. It is a warning sign to pull over and take a 10-15 minute nap.
Police are also urging motorists to think before speeding during the Easter holiday period.
Senior Sergeant Doug Berglund of Belgrave Police says both driving while fatigued and speeding are contributing factors in many of the holiday road tolls.
Sen Sgt Berglund urges motorists to remain within the speed limits to avoid fatalities this Easter.