The drive home after a bank holiday can be more tiring than the outward journey. Drivers may be returning later in the day, carrying more luggage, travelling with children, or joining busy motorway traffic at the same time as other families.
The return journey deserves its own check
A good return journey starts before the engine does. Take five minutes to check the car, move essential items within reach, and plan a realistic stop if the trip is long. This is especially useful when routes are busy or weather changes quickly.
Return journey checklist
- Clear loose items from the driver footwell and front passenger area
- Check tyre pressure again if the car is heavily loaded
- Make sure phone navigation is mounted safely and charging
- Put water, medication and essential child items where they can be reached
- Plan a rest stop before tiredness becomes a problem
- Keep breakdown and emergency kit items accessible
- Check that a window breaker and seatbelt cutter has not been moved into the boot
Keep emergency items within reach
A car safety kit is more useful when the most important items are easy to reach from the seat. A torch, phone power bank, high-visibility clothing and a compact escape tool should not be buried under luggage in the boot.
For return journeys, the most important point is reach. A compact JUFO escape tool can stay in a door pocket, glovebox or centre console rather than being packed away with luggage. A 2 Pack is useful for a family car or two-car household.
Shop the JUFO Single Tool or choose the JUFO 2 Pack for family cars and multi-car households.
Before the next journey
Check your route, fuel or charge level, tyre condition, coolant, screenwash and weather forecast before setting off. If plans change, update someone who is expecting you and avoid rushing the journey.
Sources: RAC bank holiday travel advice.
