If you’re hitting the road for the holidays, remember to add convenience, adventure and humour to your journey. Don’t let a flat battery dampen your adventurous spirit.
Visit your nearest Battery Centre for a free battery test to ensure that you’re road ready for any adventure.
Here are 5 tips for a smooth-sailing road trip:
- Plan for emergencies
Check that you have a jack, spanner, emergency triangle and a first-aid kit and a portable battery jumper kit available at Battery Centre. Keep emergency numbers for roadside assistance and vehicle insurance handy to avoid a frantic search for it when you need it most.
- Keep frequently used items close
Keep your eyes on the road by keeping items like sunglasses, medicine, hand wipes and cash for tolls within reach.
- Plan but don’t restrict your route
Getting there is half the fun and with GPS, it’s also stress free. Turn bathroom breaks into mini adventures by searching for interesting pit stops along the way. Pack an overnight bag for spur-of-the-moment stopovers.
- Hungry people are no fun
Pack a cooler bag with plenty of snacks and bottled water to keep spirits high. Be prepared for spontaneous picnics or fill up those empty stomachs at interesting diners and restaurants along the way.
- Have a game plan
Stock up on audio books, games and good music for the road. Road trips are an ideal opportunity to get everyone away from their mobile devices, by singing along to the music and to learning more about each other.
Here are two hilarious games to banish backseat boredom:
- While you were sleeping
Everyone chips in to create the most ridiculous yet believable story about something that happened while someone was sleeping in the car. The goal is to tell the story in the most believable manner once the sleeping passenger is awake.
- Fortunately / Unfortunately
Turn an unfortunate situation into a fortunate one. One person starts by saying "Fortunately" and mentions a fortunate event. The next person follows with an unfortunate statement about the same event.
For example: “Fortunately, this is the first time I’m seeing the Drakensberg mountains”. “Unfortunately, it was invaded by mosquitoes just last week”. “Fortunately, we packed Tabard”.
Continue to switch between fortunate and unfortunate statements until someone stumbles. Three strikes and you're out. Fortunately, last man standing gets an ice cream at the next stop.