Safe Driving over Christmas: Vehicle Damage Repair

The vehicle damage repair experts at our accident repair centre have revealed the best ways to ensure you stay safe whilst driving throughout the Christmas period. Our breakdown repair specialists have compiled a list of Christmas driver safety tips to keep you and every other motorist happy and safe on the roads this festive period…

Is Christmas the most dangerous time to drive?

Our vehicle damage repair experts know that it is a myth that Christmas time is the most dangerous time to drive, although it does seem logical to think that way. However, during the festive period, there are still plenty of reasons why you’re more likely to have an accident than other periods during the year. Here are a few reasons why all drivers should take extra care on journeys this Christmas…

More drivers on the road

Essentially, there are more people going out to see families, doing their holiday shopping and still doing the normal work commute. Our vehicle damage repair and breakdown repair specialists know that more drivers on the road means a greater chance of an accident morning, noon and night.

Adverse weather conditions

The festive period falls during late autumn and the beginning of Winter and that brings with it adverse weather such as snow, ice, black ice and rain. Battling these elements cause stress and an increased likelihood of an accident. The experts at our accident repair centre know that the roads are at their worst in the morning and very late at night.

Alcohol-impaired driving

It has been proven that there are more drink drivers on the road during the festive season than any other holiday. It goes without saying that drivers who under the influence make the roads much riskier for everyone, not just themselves.

Stressed driving

Despite being a time to rejoice and spend time with friends and family, Christmas is a time of stress for most and one of the biggest factors of driving accidents is stress. This doesn’t just apply to the person driving but of course everyone else on the roads. Our vehicle damage repair experts know that stress leads to mistakes and mistakes lead to accidents.

Stay calm

There’s a lot to be said about remaining calm during driving. With the increase in drivers on the road and adverse weather conditions it’s important to keep as calm as possible so that you are better equipped to see potential hazards and to deal with them appropriately. This is particularly important for people with children in the car who are more easily distracted.

Service the car

Vehicles which are maintained and need attention are more likely to break down or fail during a journey so be sure to get it serviced and check all is as it should be this winter. This includes ensuring the tyres are inflated correctly, the oil is healthy and all fluids are topped up including brake fluid, engine coolant and of course screen wash. Our vehicle damage repair experts recommend making sure that the tank has more than enough fuel or a good charge, which is also a good idea in the event of major traffic.

Plan ahead

Sticking to routes you know is a sure-fire way to avoid the dangers of festive journeys and you will be much more aware of the trickiest bits. If you have to drive on roads you’re not familiar with you can still take a look at the route and major roads you need to take in advance to help make you aware of important lane changes, roundabout exits and any country roads you’ll need to take. Moreover, plan plenty of rest stops if the journey is going to be a long one and don’t take the wheel if you’re tired because we all know that tiredness can kill.

Adapt your driving to the conditions

As temperatures plummet and road conditions worsen it’s your responsibility to drive as the conditions demand them. Black ice, sleet, snow, puddles and slippery roads, in general, await you every winter. Take it easy, don’t accelerate too quickly, pump the breaks as opposed to slamming on and take corners lightly are a couple of dead easy safety driving tips our breakdown repair specialists can give you. Be even more mindful of how you drive on country lanes as opposed to busy motorways as not every road will be blessed with grit this holiday season. If the weather has been considered poor and the road conditions are horrendous then consider not driving at all even if you have important business.

Don’t drink alcohol the night before driving

Alcohol stays in the blood for a long time after consumption and a long night’s sleep may not be enough for it to leave your system so our vehicle damage repair specialist’s advice is to just not drink at all the night before your journey this holiday season.

Pack essentials

By packing some essential items for the journey you can protect yourself if the worst happens and you break down or get stranded, here are some ideas:

-Warm clothes such as coats, thermal socks, hats

-Portable charger to keep your phone working

-Snow clearing tools such as de-icer, shovels and sand/grit

Don’t leave gifts in plain sight

You don’t need to be driving to stay safe this Christmas. Ensuring any gifts you’ve bought are hidden in the car, or better yet not in the car at all, can protect you from being burgled over the Christmas period as opportunists seek ill-gotten gains at your expense. Our breakdown repair experts know that the robbing business is sadly most active during the holidays than at any other time during the year.

Use Jenkins & Pain, Award-Winning Express Repairs Centre

There you have it, if you do find yourself needing breakdown repair, plasti dip, car bodywork repair or vehicle damage repair and need a car repair or van repair you can count on us to complete all jobs using industry-standard processes at our express repairs centre. Our body shop repair centre offers free quotes and with our exclusive repair service, we are sure you will be happy with the results. Contact our Vehicle Body Shop today. Jenkins & Pain are a vehicle accident repair centre based in Dover, Kent. We are proud to call ourselves an award-winning accident repair centre. Check out our guide on how to look after your alloys!

Ready to Visit Our Vehicle Body Shop?

We understand how costly and inconvenient it is for a vehicle to be off the road and therefore we use processes that ensure your vehicle is repaired quickly and efficiently. So whether you need minor scratch repairs, major body repair, or alloy wheel refurbishment, our van body shop and car body shop can guarantee a high-quality service. We also repair light commercial vehicles and motorhomes. Contact us today for a paint repair at our Car Body Shop!