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Schoolies: Long Distance Driving Tips


Schoolies: Long Distance Driving Tips

Author: NRMA Media Date: 19 November 2008

The HSC is over and many of the 68,000 Year 12 students in NSW are now planning their Schoolies get-away.

Thousands of young drivers, aged 17 and 18 will be driving along the Pacific Highway to Schoolies destinations at Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.

For many, it will be their first road trip without their parents. After great success last year the NRMA will once again set up Free2go revive stops along the Pacific Highway. NRMA Director, Kyle Loades said it was critical that all young drivers stopped regularly.

"Schoolies is the party of a life-time for students who have been studying hard - NRMA’s Free2go team will be waiting for them at revive stops along the Pacific Highway to help make sure they arrive safely, have fun and get home trouble-free," Mr Loades said.

The NRMA Free2go revive stops will have free food and drinks, activities and entertainment - all designed to encourage young drivers to pull over and take regular rest stops. The revive stops will be open from 27 - 29 November and 6-7 December. For more details and revive stop locations go www.befree2go.com.au

NRMA's Free2go campaign has compiled 10 tips for young drivers embarking on their first long-distance road trip:

  • Take a break every 2 hours. Get out of the car for some fresh air and a stretch.
  • Keep distractions to a minimum in the car - this includes passenger's behavior.
  • Don't talk or text on your mobile phone while you are driving. Pull over at rest stops or in a safe area away from the road shoulder if you need to use your phone.
  • Fasten your seat belt at all times, if you want to change seats, pull over.
  • Check the car is roadworthy, check tyres, brakes, seat belts and windscreen wipers, a few days before you leave. Make sure your spare tyre is in good condition
  • Don’t drink, before or during the drive, give it a miss the night before you leave too.
  • Stick to the sign posted speed limit; keep an eye on changing speed zones, especially as you come into towns.
  • Road works are in place on parts of the Pacific Highway; take care around road works zones.
  • Take extra care when driving around semi trailers and buses.
  • If you experience a tyre blowout, reduce speed gradually and pull over to the side of the road. Ensure you check traffic before exiting the car, be careful at all times when out of the car on a highway.
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