A motoring expert has urged all drivers to follow one rule before setting off on long family road trips in order to lower the risk of accidents and a huge fine.
With the weather beginning to improve, more motorists are planning on heading to other parts of the country for breaks away or to see loved ones.
However, before taking to the roads, Richard Evans from webuyanycar has urged that drivers must make sure they have not overpacked their car.
He advised: “Whilst most people assume a luggage weight limit only applies on aeroplanes, there is actually a limit on how much you can pack in your car before it impacts the car’s handling, breaking and suspension systems.
“Each car has a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) which can be found in the vehicle handbook. Overloading your vehicle and exceeding this mass can make the vehicle difficult to control making it dangerous, particularly in emergency situations.”
Whilst many drivers like to be well prepared when spending a few days away from home, they must make sure that they avoid exceeding the vehicle’s MAS, which was outlined by the manufacturer.
Going over this figure will lead to the vehicle being much harder to control, particularly when reacting to sudden scenarios that require sharp steering or braking, not to mention a lack of visibility caused by blocked windows.
As a result, those who are caught behind the wheel of an overloaded vehicle can expect a fine of £100, with severe cases typically resulting in a £300 penalty.
Even if drivers do not know their vehicle’s MAS, webuyanycar offered a number of warning signs that can suggest that motorists should rethink what they have packed before getting behind the wheel.
In particular, drivers should carefully inspect the tyres to make sure they do not look underinflated due to the large amount of pressure being put onto them.
The suspension should also look consistent, with overloaded cars typically looking somewhat lower towards the rear, where all of the luggage is stored.
Richard also suggested that drivers planning long road trips should remember to take plenty of breaks, which can help them to stay alert and avoid a further fine of £300.
He added: “Any one person must not drive for more than 5h30m without taking a break for at least 30 minutes and one person should not drive for longer than ten hours per day.
“These regulations are put in place to prevent drivers from losing concentration or falling asleep behind the wheel, impacting their ability to drive safely.”
