The festive season may have arrived, but that doesn't mean the roads are any quieter. In fact, the dark, rainy nights of winter mean there's more congestion than ever - making the run up to Christmas a bit of a bind for commuters.
Motoring on Female First
To help you and your partner get through December with your Christmas spirit still intact, here are some top tips on surviving your festive commute.
1. Set the Mood with a Commuting Playlist
When you're driving to work at an ungodly hour in the morning, the music you choose could either kick start your day or leave you feeling tired and lethargic. According to researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, listening to music with a natural element can boost your mood and help you feel more productive. Failing that, something upbeat and lively will certainly help wake you up.
2. Use a Sat Nav or Smartphone to Avoid Congestion
Even if you know where you're going, a sat nav or mobile navigation app can help you avoid tailbacks and congestion. When connected to the Internet, these devices will automatically adjust to current traffic conditions and send you on the fastest route possible - so you may never sit in a long queue again.
While there are loads of navigation apps available for smartphones and tablets, our favourite has to be Google Maps. As you're driving along, this app will show alternate routes that are faster based on current traffic conditions, and will automatically change the route if the congestion starts to impact on your arrival time.
3. Keep Your Car in Good Condition
With Christmas right around the corner, it can be hard to find time for odd jobs like looking after your car. But if your car is in a poor condition heading into winter, it's much more likely to breakdown - spelling disaster for your festive commuting. You and your part er could check each other's cars in case you fail to spot something on your own car.
4. Don't be Tempted to Drink and Drive
We all know the warnings about drinking and driving over Christmas, but how much thought do you give to the morning after? Even if you've been to a Christmas do the night before, the alcohol may still be in your system. Drink plenty of water before bed, and make sure you eat as well. You can buy home breathalyser kits which give you an idea of your blood alcohol level and can help you decide whether it's ok to drive. If you have had a heavy night at the Christmas do, we'd advise taking the bus to work the next day, or asking your partner for a lift if they haven't been drinking.
5. Car Share with Colleagues to Spread the Cost
Is Christmas putting additional strain on your finances? Then why not free up some extra cash for you and your partner by sharing a ride to work with your colleagues, or even someone you know who's going the same way. Car sharing is a great way to spread the cost of commuting, and it's better for the environment to boot.
You could even use Liftshare to find others interested in car sharing. This site can connect you with other drivers in your area who travel a similar route to and from work, so you can organise a car sharing system that works around your schedule.
6. Save Money with Redex
Filling up your car is probably the last thing you want to spend money on at Christmastime. Add a shot of Redex fuel additive to your fuel tank however, and you stand to make significant savings on the cost of topping up the tank. Our fuel additives are designed to help your engine run more efficiently, ultimately saving you cash at the pumps that could be spent on a trip for you and your partner in the new year.
For more information about our range of fuel additives, visit the Redex website - https://www.holtsauto.com/redex/
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