This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day Golden Week fall back to back, creating an eight-day holiday. Coupled with the free highway toll policy introduced in the second half of this year for holidays, many citizens planning a self-drive trip are overjoyed. Recently, Mr. Liu, a resident with extensive experience in self-driving tours, called our newspaper, hoping to share his years of self-drive travel experience with fellow “travel enthusiasts.”
Mr. Liu said that before setting off on a self-drive trip, it’s essential to give your vehicle a thorough and comprehensive check. This includes whether various oils and fluids in the engine compartment need replacing, whether the tire conditions are good, and whether all lights are functioning properly.
Second, choose a suitable self-drive route and itinerary. Try to avoid dangerous road conditions and areas prone to traffic congestion, and keep yourself informed about the weather at your intended scenic spots.
Third, bring all valid personal and vehicle-related documents and receipts, such as ID cards or passports, driver’s licenses, vehicle registration certificates, road maintenance fees, vehicle and vessel tax payment certificates, purchase surcharge fees, and insurance documents.
Fourth, when driving for leisure, safety comes first. Drivers must strictly obey traffic rules, avoid fatigue driving, and reduce speed when going through mountain roads or sharp turns. Drivers traveling to Southwest or Northwest China often encounter long uphill and downhill sections. When going uphill, be sure to shift down gears in time to avoid insufficient engine torque output; when going downhill, avoid excessive heat and failure of brake pads due to prolonged use—never coast in neutral.
Fifth, carry emergency supplies just in case. These include a first aid kit, tools for minor vehicle repairs, moisture-proof mats, camping lighting equipment, a compass, and a triangular warning sign. It's also a good idea to pack topical wound treatment medicine, cold and flu tablets, and anti-diarrheal medication in your first aid kit.
Sixth, if your vehicle is involved in an accident en route, getting an on-site assessment is the most common method for claims when you're away from home. However, during holidays, insurance companies may have limited staff for damage assessments, and some vehicle owners may not want to wait. In such cases, it's important to report the incident to the insurer and get approval before driving back to your registered location for assessment—otherwise, the insurer may consider the claim filed beyond the allowed time limit. Also, for accidents involving significant losses or injuries, the vehicle must be inspected on-site. For minor damage that doesn’t affect normal driving, it’s best to return home for repairs.