Christmas driving tips is very important and also it’s an exciting time to visit WA, with crowds flying in, arranging car rental at Perth Airport, and setting out to visit friends, family and loved ones across the region.
Whether you’re out of town and arranging car rental in Perth, or you live in the area and plan to do some driving this holiday season, it’s worth being aware of the risks that come with festive travel.
With that in mind, here are 5 Christmas driving tips for anyone arranging budget car rental at Perth Airport this season.
5 Christmas Driving Tips to Keep You Safe on WA Roads
1. Beware of Fatigue
The Road Safety Commission (RSC) calls fatigue the “silent killer on Western Australia’s roads”. The RSC also notes that the reaction time of a driver awake for 17-19 hours is similar to a driver at 0.05 blood alcohol concentration — the legal limit in WA. Driving fatigued is closer to driving under the influence than most people realise, and it’s more common during the holidays when family gatherings, parties and events eat into sleep.
2. Celebrate Responsibly
Driving while intoxicated is both dangerous and illegal, yet an alarming number of revellers who shouldn’t be driving end up behind the wheel each Christmas. At least one driver is found over the legal alcohol limit in nearly 20 per cent of all serious WA crashes. More people celebrate and drink over the festive season than usual — all the more reason to be mindful of your own consumption and that of others in your group. See the RSC’s full guide to drink and drug driving for the current penalties and limits.
3. Share the Road
Traffic volume increases over the holidays, with more people flying in and arranging car hire at Perth Airport before hitting the road. Prepare for heavier traffic, be mindful of other motorists’ space, and expect to share the road with larger, slower vehicles carrying big groups or towing caravans.
4. Plan Your Route in Advance
Worth doing any time of year, but especially important when more people are travelling. When you’re taking advantage of Perth airport car hire, plan the safest — not necessarily the fastest — route, and check Main Roads WA’s live Travel Map for current road conditions before you depart. Choosing the right route and leaving enough time makes it easier to drive responsibly.
5. Beware of Animals on the Road
Kangaroos account for 88 per cent of animal-related road accidents in WA, alongside horses and cattle. Most incidents happen at dusk and dawn, when these animals are active and visibility is low — worth remembering on the drive to and from evening gatherings this Christmas. Our guide on things to sort before hiring a car in Perth covers this same timing risk in more detail if you’re planning any regional driving over the break.
Ready for the Festive Season?
If you’re visiting WA this Christmas, Ace Rent A Car has a range of vehicles to suit your trip, from small cars to minibuses for larger groups. Browse our selection and book budget car rental in Perth today — that’s our Christmas driving tips covered, so all that’s left is to enjoy the trip.