This holiday driving guide covers what to expect on Perth’s roads this festive season, and how to stay safe while you’re out enjoying it. Perth’s roadways get busier than ever over the holidays — on top of the usual traffic, you’ll see spikes from holiday shopping, Christmas and New Year’s Eve preparations, and an influx of visitors flying in to rent a car in Perth to see friends and family. It can get hectic out there.
Even so, there’s plenty to enjoy about driving around Perth this time of year — the Christmas lights, the warm summer evenings with the windows down. Ace Rent A Car offers some outstanding deals on budget car rental in Perth, so we put together this short guide to help you enjoy the season safely.
Holiday Driving Guide for Perth: 3 Essential Tips
1. Be Mindful of Those Who Share the Road With You
There’s more traffic this time of year than any other, which makes it more important than usual to stay alert. Watch for erratic driving behaviour in particular — it can be a sign a driver’s under the influence.
Drink driving is against the law in WA, with strict penalties for anyone caught. But even if you’ve booked car hire in Perth and you’re driving responsibly, that doesn’t mean everyone else is. The WA Road Safety Commission reports that in nearly one out of five serious WA crashes, at least one driver is over the legal limit. Keep that in mind and drive defensively, especially at night.
2. Make Life Easier With a Larger Vehicle
Even if you live locally and already have your own car, car rental in Perth can still make sense — especially for family gatherings or larger get-togethers. With minibus hire in Perth, you can transport up to eight people at once, ideal for group dinners or a drive around to admire the Christmas lights. A minivan works well too, especially if several people want to go shopping together. With holiday traffic already heavier than usual, consolidating more people into one vehicle helps everyone.
3. Plan Around Peak Traffic Times
Shopping centre car parks and major routes get noticeably busier in the lead-up to Christmas, and again around Boxing Day sales. Where you can, shift your driving to off-peak times — mid-morning or early evening rather than the immediate after-work rush — and plan longer trips with our fuel and trip cost calculator so you’re not caught out by distance or fuel costs on the day. Our Christmas driving tips guide covers a few more seasonal specifics worth knowing before you set off.
Whether you’re visiting Perth and need to hire a car from the airport, or you’re after a practical solution for transporting the family these holidays, Ace Rent A Car has a vehicle to suit. This holiday driving guide is just the start — browse our fleet online and book early to secure your preferred vehicle.