You should be alert at all times when driving – especially in an unfamiliar, hired vehicle. If you’re on a long trip to transport goods in van hire, you can lose concentration and get reckless. Staying alert on the roads while driving a hired van is essential, so follow these tips to be safe.
Always Stay Left
If you’re unfamiliar with New Zealand roads, you’ll be surprised to learn that everyone there drives on the left. If you’re from the USA, it might be unnatural for you, but you’ll soon get into the habit of it. It’s easier on straight roads; however, remember to keep it in mind when you’re entering a roundabout, and when entering or exiting a parking lot.
Keep Your Seatbelts On At All Times
Keeping your seatbelt on while the car is in motion is one of the most basic rules to driving safely. Driving a van is no different. When you get into your own vehicle, you might fasten your seatbelt without even noticing – that’s your muscle memory. Always remember to attach your seatbelt before you turn the key in the ignition, even in an unfamiliar car. A good rule to keep to is that everyone needs to be buckled in before you can start the van.
Keep To The Speed Limit
The speed limit is supposed to limit your speed, not a target for you to beat! Unfamiliar vehicles handle differently, so a van hire engine might have more power than the car you drive every day. A car driving too fast is also much harder to control if things on the road go awry, so remember to start slow, and settle at a manageable speed within the limit.
Familiarise Yourself With The Rules Of The Road
If you’re not from New Zealand, some road rules might be unfamiliar to you. However, if you want to avoid getting stopped by the authorities and getting fined, you should brush up on the rules before you get into trouble. Saying that you weren’t aware of specific laws, or that you’re not from NZ won’t get you out of it. So it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Van hire is a convenient and affordable service, even if you’ve never done it before. However, being alert on the road always stands – whether you’re in a car, in a rental van, or on a bicycle. Remember to keep these tips in mind when you drive a van you’ve hired, to be safe on the roads.
