Saturday mornings in August are made for day trips, family visits and a change of scenery. They can also put extra pressure on a car that has spent the week doing short journeys. Before joining the holiday traffic today, give yourself ten calm minutes to check the vehicle, organise the cabin and confirm the route. It is a small investment that can prevent avoidable delays and make an unexpected stop easier to manage.
1. Check the forecast, route and break points
The Met Office recommends checking the UK forecast, planning journey timings and allowing regular breaks on summer trips. Look at the full route rather than only the destination. Note one or two sensible service areas, check for live traffic updates just before departure and let a passenger handle any updates while you are moving. If the journey will take more than two hours, plan a proper stop instead of relying on a last-minute decision when everyone is tired.
Pack enough water for every passenger and add a few simple snacks. Keep them inside the cabin rather than buried under luggage. A charged phone and suitable charging cable should also be easy to reach, but the phone should remain out of the driver’s hands while the car is moving.
2. Do a ten-minute vehicle walk-around
GOV.UK reminds drivers that they are responsible for keeping a vehicle roadworthy, even when it has a current MOT. Begin with the tyres while they are cold. Check the recommended pressures in the handbook or door-frame label, look for cuts or bulges and inspect the tread. The legal minimum tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its full circumference.
Next, check engine oil, coolant and screenwash according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Never remove a coolant cap when the engine is hot. Make sure the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean, all lights work and no warning light remains unexplained. If something looks wrong, solve it before setting off rather than hoping it will clear during the journey.
3. Load the car for stability and visibility
Place heavy luggage low down and close to the back of the rear seats. Secure loose items so they cannot move under braking, and keep the driver’s view through the mirrors clear. Do not stack bags where they obstruct the rear window or allow bottles, toys and devices to roll around the footwells.
Keep medicines, sun protection, water and anything needed for children or pets within sensible reach. Never leave a child or pet unattended in a parked car, even for a short stop. Cabin temperature can rise quickly, and an unplanned delay may last longer than expected.
4. Put roadside essentials where you can reach them
An emergency kit is most useful when it is accessible. Do not hide it beneath suitcases or in the spare-wheel well. Store it near the top or side of the boot, and tell another adult where it is. Useful basics include a high-visibility vest, torch, first-aid supplies, phone charging cable and details of your breakdown provider.
JUFO recommendation for weekend travel
JUFO 3-in-1 Roadside Breakdown Kit — £17.95
A compact kit combining a high-visibility vest, warning triangle and emergency escape tool. Keep it accessible rather than buried under luggage. A warning triangle should only be used where it is safe and appropriate; never place one on a motorway.
5. Know what to do if the journey stops
If the car develops a problem, do not make sudden lane changes. Leave the carriageway at the next safe opportunity if the vehicle can continue. On a motorway, move left into an emergency area or other safe place when possible, switch on the hazard lights and follow current National Highways guidance. If it is safe, occupants should exit from the left side and wait behind a barrier, away from moving traffic. If you cannot reach a safe place or cannot exit safely, keep seat belts fastened, call 999 and explain your location.
For a puncture, overheating warning or persistent dashboard alert, stop somewhere safe and arrange professional help. A roadside kit improves visibility and preparedness, but it does not replace recovery cover or trained assistance.
Your two-minute departure check
- Forecast and live traffic checked
- Fuel or charge sufficient for the route
- Tyres, fluids, lights and glass checked
- Luggage secured and driver visibility clear
- Water, phone charger and emergency kit accessible
Finish the checks before passengers settle in, then start the journey without rushing. A prepared car, a realistic schedule and an early break make a Saturday road trip calmer for everyone.
Sources: Met Office: vehicle checks before a long journey; Met Office: planning summer holiday driving; GOV.UK: check your vehicle is safe to drive.
