Here are some top tips from our experts, friends and colleagues:
Be prepared
Move your seat so that your driving position is comfortable and set the air at a reasonable temperature. Try and make sure you leave plenty of time for your journey and leave yourself a large margin of error for delays due to bad weather.Be aware
Check your mirrors at least once every ten seconds, know what cars and pedestrians are around you and always be planning a way out if a situation turns dangerous.Be cool
Bad manners on the road can drive you to distraction so try to distance yourself from the situation to avoid getting angry and making a mistake.Be comfortable
Don't let traffic jams or road works annoy you. There is nothing you can do about it so just listen to the radio and take lots of CDs in the car. Make sure you have things to eat and drink and have things for your passengers to do.Be entertained
Listening to music or the radio through a good audio system is still probably one of the best ways to stay relaxed behind the wheel.Be savvy
Satnavs are a great addition to any car. The latest models have lots of great features, such as indicating points of interest along your journey and estimated times of arrival, alternative routes, etc.Be level
Before you go anywhere, check your levels of oil, water and especially your tyres.Be bright
Check that all your lights are working, especially the brake lights. This is easy to do - use reflections or do it after dark if no one's about to help you.Be clean
Make sure you have enough screen wash and that your headlights are nice and clean.Be sensible
If you're even slightly worried about your car completing the journey, then don’t ask it to. A hire car is a lot cheaper than towing your car all the way back home.Be researched
If you're planning to drive a long way to your destination or even to go on a driving holiday, work out your route in advance and make sure you have the relevant maps. If you plan to use a satnav, make sure it works wherever it is you're travelling, as some only have certain pre-loaded maps.Be lawful
In France, for example, drivers must carry a high-visibility vest in their vehicles. In Vienna, it's illegal to use your car horn while it’s against the law to run out of fuel on an autobahn in Germany.Be insured
Your 123.ie insurance policy will cover you in most EU countries for up to 30 days but make sure you let us know where and when you’re going as you need to contact us to extend your cover before you take your car with you.