There is a familiar feeling that comes with the start of every summer journey.
The bags are packed.
The route has been planned.
Everyone is eager to get on the road.
It is often at this point that drivers simply start the engine and leave.
Yet spending just ten or fifteen minutes carrying out a few simple checks before departure can prevent many of the problems that interrupt summer journeys every year.
Think of it as your own personal pre-flight inspection.
Pilots don’t check an aircraft because they expect something to be wrong.
They check because they want to be confident that everything is right.
Drivers should think in exactly the same way.
Contents
Start with Yourself
Before checking the vehicle, check the person driving it.
Ask yourself:
- Am I well rested?
- Have I had enough water?
- Am I feeling well enough to drive?
- Am I taking any medication that could affect my concentration?
- Have I allowed enough time, or am I already feeling rushed?
Your vehicle may be perfectly prepared.
If the driver is not, the journey has already become less safe.
Walk Around the Vehicle
A simple walk around the car often identifies problems immediately.
Look for:
- tyres that appear low
- obvious damage
- fluid leaks beneath the vehicle
- broken lights
- objects left behind the wheels
This inspection takes less than a minute.
Professional drivers perform similar visual checks every day.
Under the Bonnet
Check:
- engine oil
- coolant
- brake fluid
- windscreen washer fluid
Most vehicles make these checks straightforward.
If anything appears unusually low or contaminated, investigate before travelling rather than hoping it will be fine.
Tyres
Take a closer look.
Check:
- pressures
- tread depth
- cuts
- bulges
- uneven wear
Remember that holiday luggage increases the demands placed upon tyres.
If carrying heavier loads than normal, check whether your manufacturer recommends different tyre pressures.
Clean Windows
Visibility is one of the simplest safety improvements available.
Clean:
- windscreen
- rear window
- mirrors
- headlights
- rear lights
Summer insects, dust and road film reduce visibility far more quickly than many drivers realise.
Documents
Confirm you have everything required.
Driving licence.
Vehicle documentation.
Insurance details.
Emergency contact numbers.
If driving abroad, ensure you have complied with any additional legal requirements for the countries you intend to visit.
Five minutes spent checking paperwork is considerably easier than discovering something important is missing halfway through your journey.
Plan the Route
Modern navigation systems are excellent.
Even so, it helps to know the general route before leaving.
Check:
- weather conditions
- roadworks
- planned diversions
- fuel stops
- charging locations if driving an electric vehicle
Good planning reduces stress later.
Pack Properly
Heavy luggage belongs low in the boot.
Loose items should be secured.
Keep essentials within easy reach:
- water
- medication
- sunglasses
- phone charger
- snacks
Avoid overloading the vehicle or obstructing rear visibility.
Think About the Conditions
Summer driving presents unique challenges.
Heat.
Tourists.
Cyclists.
Motorcyclists.
Wildfire risks.
Busy beaches.
Children.
Every journey is slightly different.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
Most Problems Are Preventable
When roadside assistance organisations publish their busiest periods, the same causes appear repeatedly.
Flat batteries.
Tyre problems.
Overheating.
Running out of fuel.
Lost keys.
Most of these situations are not unavoidable.
They are simply things that were overlooked.
Preparation is one of the cheapest forms of breakdown prevention.
Driving Is About More Than Reaching the Destination
Many people measure a successful journey by the time they arrive.
A better measure is how relaxed everyone feels when they get there.
The safest journeys are rarely the quickest.
They are the ones where the driver has remained calm, the vehicle has performed reliably and everyone arrives ready to enjoy their holiday rather than recover from the drive.
Your Holiday Starts Here
This collection has explored many aspects of summer driving.
Preparing your vehicle.
Looking after yourself.
Managing heat.
Loading safely.
Understanding tyres.
Sharing the road.
Planning for the unexpected.
Although each subject has been discussed separately, they all lead to one simple conclusion.
Safe summer driving is not achieved through one big decision.
It is built from dozens of small ones.
Every careful check.
Every sensible stop.
Every patient decision.
Every extra glance in the mirror.
Every choice to slow down.
Together, they create safer journeys.
As you prepare for your next trip across Spain, remember that the destination is only part of the experience.
The journey itself deserves exactly the same attention.
Have a wonderful summer, enjoy Spain’s remarkable roads and scenery, and above all…
Arrive safely.
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