NCT issues festive safety reminder to motorists ahead of Christmas road trips

The Christmas travel period is underway, and the NCT is reminding motorists to give their cars a quick safety check before hitting the road. 

With 'snacks packed, presents in the boot, and toilet stops mapped', the NCT says a quick car check is just as essential before setting off.

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The NCT are advising all motorists planning on travelling over the festive period to conduct a five-minute walk around check prior to beginning their journey.

This includes in car checks, mirrors and windows, lights, access, wheels and tyres, load security and restraint and external checks.

In-Car checks

The in-car checks that should be carried out prior to hitting the road include checking driving controls, seat and head rest positions are adjusted correctly, ensuring safety belts are in the correct position and working correctly, the interior is clean and there are no obstructions or loose material in the foot-wall(s) or parcel shelf behind rear seats.

Motorists should also turn their vehicle engine on and check that all instrument gauges and warning lights are working correctly, as well as the vehicles wipers, washers, horn, demister and temperature controls are working correctly.

Mirrors and windows

All mirrors should be secure and aligned correctly as well as in clean and good conditon.

The drivers view should not be obstructed, such as by stickers, and all windows should be able to open and close properly.

Lights, Indicators, Hazard Lights and Reflectors

All of the above should be in places, working properly, the correct colour, be clean and have no breaks or cracks.

Access

All of the vehicles door locks should be working properly and the doors should be able to open and close correctly.

Wheels and tyres

Tyres must be correctly inflated and be of the correct tread depth, as well as be undamaged with no bulges, tears or abrasions.

All wheel nuts must be in place, correctly fitted and secure, with wheel nut indicators correctly aligned, if in use, the vehicles tyre's must also have an 'E' mark.

Load security and restraint

The vehicle must be loaded within the limits of the vehicles specifications, with the load evenly distributed.

Articles in the vehicle must be stored securely, in the boot, and restrained if necessary. Load restraint equipment must be suited to the load and in good condition.

There should be no loose articles on seats, and any articles on the roof must be securely tied down.

Any overhanging articles on the roof must be visible to other road users, through means such as a hi-visibility flag.

Estate cars must have a barrier in place to protect the driver and/or front passenger when goods are being carried in rear goods space.

External checks

The vehicle must be sitting 'square' and not leaning to one side, the underside of the vehicle should be checked for fluid leaks.

Both the front and rear bumpers should be in good condition and no excessive smoke or noise should come from the exhaust.

Front and rear number plates must be of the correct type, in the correct position, visible and clean.

The vehicles fuel cap seal should be in place, in good condition and have no leaks, wiper blades must also be in good conditon.

Prior to embarking on their trip, the driver must ensure that the vehicle has valid insurance, NCT and Tax discs, which are correctly displayed.

The engine oil, coolant, water, windscreen wash and break fluid levels should all be checked they are at the correct levels and have no leaks.