Pre-trip vehicle inspection
This includes checking all your tyres, mirrors, windscreen wipers, oil, water and brake fluid, as well as the fan belt, spare wheel, jack and wheel spanner. It is recommended that your vehicle is professionally serviced before a long trip, it could save you much anger, expense and frustration on your trip.

Buckle up
Its in the best interest of drivers and passengers to buckle up and remain buckled up during the journey. It decreases the risk of injury during a collision by 50%. All children up to the age of fourteen should either be in an SABS approved car seat or sitting on a booster cushion. 

Travel only during the day
Your chances of being involved in a fatal collision increase significantly at night.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT VITAL 2 SECOND FOLLOWING DISTANCE. AT NIGHT IN WET WEATHER AND MISTY CONDITIONS THIS DISTANCE SHOULD BE INCREASED.

Adhere to speed limits
Speed limit signs along the routes, are the maximum speed you should travel in ideal driving conditions.

The family
If you are driving a long distance with a car full of children, think about what you are going to give them to eat on the journey. Salty snack type foods, that look so appealing, are often full of Tartrazine, which makes children hyperactive, more likely to fight, and also of course, very thirsty. We all know that many brand name gassy cold drinks in cans, don't really quench a thirst. What about making a real lemon drink. Apples and bananas don't make such a mess and pass the time of day. Why not stop and have lunch, it gives the driver time to stretch and rest his or her eyes. It is recommended that you stop every 2 hours but this is not always possible. A wet face cloth is a must on a long journey. Each child can have his own rucksack with games and toys and his own sponge bag. Don't encourage a ball in the car, it can roll along the floor and get under the driver's feet. Don't stow luggage on the back window as it obscures driver vision and is very dangerous during a collision.