Here, we highlight ten essential car safety tips to help vehicle owners more safely tackle the school run. Performing these often simple, but essential checks is crucial to ensuring the safety of those in the car and that of fellow road users, and to helping prevent unexpected breakdowns when out on the road.
Check Seat Belts and Car Seats for Safety and Legal Compliance
Before setting off, ensure that all seat belts, front and back, are in good working order, and that car seats for younger passengers are of the right size and are fully secured in place in line with manufacturer guidance. In accordance with the law, it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that all occupants below the age of 14 are correctly belted up before hitting the road. Similarly, over 14s are personally responsible for ensuring that they are wearing a seat belt, with the penalty for not doing so also being up to the sum of £500.
Ensure Your Vehicle’s MOT, Insurance, and Tax Are Up-to-Date
Before leaving home, it is a requirement for all vehicles to have valid insurance and MOT certificates, and to be taxed (with the exception of fully electric cars). In the same vein, it is imperative that your car is serviced in line with the full and interim intervals stated by the vehicle manufacturer to help keep your car running as it should. Furthermore, having a complete service history that meets the prescribed schedule is often a condition for making a warranty claim in the event of a mechanical or electrical issue.
Top Up Engine Oil and Fluids to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly
Alongside the replenishment of other fluids, such as coolant, it is vital that oil is topped up to the recommended level, to keep the engine in an optimum condition. Similarly, the correct lubricant should also be used, as modern cars often require specific types, meaning pouring in the wrong grade of oil can lead to serious mechanical problems and costly repairs.
Keep Your Battery Charged for Hassle-Free School Runs
If your car has been parked up for a prolonged period, it is recommended that you go out for a 20- to 30-minute drive to allow the battery to charge up again, to reduce the risk of any unwanted time out on the school run. Similarly, if driving an electric vehicle, plug in the car ahead of time, so that the battery is fully replenished when getting behind the wheel, helping to avoid any delay to the start of the school day.
Check All Lights and Indicators for Safe Driving in Low Visibility
As the academic year starts in Autumn, and with sunrises getting later and sunsets becoming earlier, it is especially important to make sure that all front and rear lights are working before setting off, as well as fog and indicator lamps. If you’re not confident doing it yourself, and it is safe to do so, take your car to an accredited garage to have any defective bulbs changed by a qualified mechanic.
Replace Worn Wiper Blades for a Clear View of the Road
Before taking to the road, check your front and rear wiper blades for signs of wear, such as streaking, smearing, or squeaking noises. If they are failing to clear the windscreen effectively, which may equally result in an MOT failure when a car is tested, it is time to replace them with the correct specification for your vehicle’s make and model. Consult your owner’s manual, or a professional, if you’re unsure which blades to choose, or how to swap them for new ones.
Ensure Tyres Are Properly Inflated and Roadworthy
If a car has been stationary for a prolonged period of time, tyre pressure can be lost, which can cause uneven wear and increased fuel consumption. Top up the air pressure in all four tyres to the vehicle manufacturer-recommended levels, which can often be found on the driver’s side door frame or in the handbook. You can use either a home tyre inflation kit, or provided you can get there safely, you can visit a nearby fuel station forecourt that has an air machine. As well as running at the right pressures, tyres must also have the correct tread depth (i.e. at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre), and be free of any defects, bulges and cracking.
Pay Attention to Dashboard Warning Lights to Avoid Breakdown
Warning lights on the dashboard are visible indicators alerting you to any potential issues, spanning the need for minor maintenance, to the onset of serious mechanical problems. Addressing any illuminated amber or red symbols promptly, which are often outlined in the car’s handbook, can help avoid costly repairs and ensure your vehicle remains safe and reliable.
Keep Windscreen and Wipers in Top Condition for Maximum Visibility
Having full clarity of the road ahead is essential to safety. As well as ensuring that all wiper blades are in good working order, check at the same time, that the windscreen reservoir is topped up with screen wash, and that all washer jets are working properly to keep your view unobstructed, particularly in adverse weather conditions, where dirt and grime can obscure the line of sight.
