How Times Have Changed - Kids Today don’t know what they’re Missing!

If you grew up in the 1960s or 1970s it’s quite likely your family holidays involved a long car trip in the family station wagon, or Dad’s Datsun 180B. Only a lucky few went overseas for holidays. You may have gone interstate, but it would almost certainly be in the family car.

The most popular of the era being the Ford Falcon, Holden Kingswood, the good old Datsun (now Nissan) and the Toyota triplets; Corona, Corolla and Celica. 

Holden Kingswood wagon

We remember families chugging along the one-lane highway, often dragging a caravan along behind, avoiding potholes and hoping the overloaded car would make it up the next hill. (There’s nothing quite like breaking down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere on a 35-degree day!)

Ah those were the days!  Hours and hours of driving, with your thighs sticking to the vinyl, and the open window serving as air conditioning. No DVD players, iPods, no Bluetooth, no MacDonald’s.  You’d pass around the tin of barley sugar and entertain yourselves with lots of sing-a-longs, games of eye-spy while munching on squashed vegemite sandwiches.  

Kids usually sat on the bench seat in the back (with no seat belts required till sometime in the early 70s) and maybe one or two littlies squeezed in between Mum and Dad in front. If your aunty, uncle and cousins were coming along then the adults got the seats and the kids would lie down in the back of the station wagon lined up like sausages in a pan - often joined by the family dog. And heaven help you if you got carsick! 

With air-conditioning, smartphones and frappes at civilised rest stops during modern family car trips, kids today just don’t what they’re missing!

Keeping Kids Safe during Holiday Road Trips

Christmas holidays are full of fun and excitement, but driving to your vacation destination can be difficult if you and your family are not suitably prepared. With a lot of traffic on the roads, a fully loaded vehicle and everyone eager to get to the end of the journey, safety can be jeopardised. Keep your family safe this Christmas holiday period with these tips.

·      Sleep and rest - As the driver you need to be alert at all times. Get to bed early the night before your trip to ensure you are well rested. If your journey is a long one, stop along the way for some rest time, or even an overnight stay halfway into your trip to break up the driving.

·      Check child restraints - It is of utmost importance to get your child restraints installed or at the very least, checked by professionals. Also check that your child is in the right restraint for their age, weight and height.

·      Charge it up - Kids tend to get bored on long drives, so to keep the whinging and sibling fights at bay, charge up the electronic devices before you leave home and buy a movie or two for the long haul. This will provide at least a couple of hours before “Are we there yet?” gets played on repeat.

·      Play a game - Once the devices have gone flat, have your passenger play games with the kids such as Spotto or Eye Spy. Keeping children busy is the best way to avoid those back seat distractions that may lead to unsafe lapses in your driving concentration.

·      Pack some snacks - A healthy protein-based snack can keep you alert at the wheel for a while longer, as will keeping hydrated with lots of water. Packing snacks is an additional way to keep those back seat enquiries at bay while you concentrate on the road.

·      Safety service - Before you leave, booking in for a complete safety service of your car will have it running smoothly and give you peace of mind that your family will arrive safely and enjoy the trip. Book your family car in today at http://www.cooperautomotive.com.au/book-online-now.html

Preparing for a Trip North

There’s no better way to get around on holiday than having your own car – especially in a country as big as Australia – and as Tasmanians the best way to do this is to take the car north across the Strait.

We are happy to hear that the Spirit of Tasmania II has now been repaired and fully operational after suffering damage to its boarding ramp during a wild storm in Port Melbourne in January.

If you’re considering a trip north this year, here are our top tips for making the most of your driving holiday.

Before you go

• Take your car for a pre-trip safety check. Be sure to book in advance to give you time to rectify any issues.

• If travelling with children check that their current seats are still appropriate for their height and age. See Department of Transport for full details: http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licensing/publications/tasmanian_road_rules/road_safety_rules/child_restraints

• Update the software in your GPS for latest maps.

           

On board the ship

• Once on board, take note of where your vehicle is parked on the ship. It may help to take a photo with your phone to remind you of the level and section.

• Bicycles on racks on the back of your car can stay in place - no need to remove them for sailing. (There may be extra charges to carry bikes so check when booking.)

• As there won’t be access to your car during the voyage it’s important to pack essential items such as medicine and toiletries in your overnight bag to be taken with you into your cabin.

On your road trip

• Have the details of the local roadside services handy in case you get caught with a breakdown.

• Let family or friends know roughly where you’ll be during your trip and check in with them periodically.

• Check tyre pressure along the way and take into account any big fluctuations in temperature that may affect it.

Taking a road trip can come with its ups and downs – especially when travelling with the family. If you follow these top tips you will save yourself unnecessary worry, and get you on the right track for a wonderful trip.