Summer is the season for outdoor travel. Once the holidays arrive, car owners often hit the road with friends over weekends or holidays. However, many drivers get so caught up in the scenery that they lose focus and overlook road safety. That’s how hidden dangers arise.
Self-driving trips: See how seasoned travelers plan their journeys
Self-driving offers endless fun, but first-timers may encounter many unexpected little troubles. The author interviewed some experienced “travelers” with rich self-driving backgrounds.
◎ Give your car a full “check-up” before hitting the road
Example: During last year’s National Day holiday, a friend drove out but had driven just over a hundred kilometers on the highway when he suddenly found his tire had gone flat. Not knowing how to change a tire, he had to call for a tow truck. By the time the car was fixed, his enthusiasm for the trip had been dampened by half.
Tip: Before setting off, choose a reputable garage to give your vehicle a thorough inspection and ensure it’s in good condition before driving.
◎ Don’t refuel at “unlicensed” gas stations
Example: A personal experience shared by a self-driver. On the way to Yangshuo last year, he stopped at a gas station on Guangxi’s Daguishan Mountain. Soon after leaving, the car began experiencing unstable idling and frequent stalling when shifting gears. He fortunately made it safely to his destination and only then eliminated the issue by filling up with quality fuel.
Tip: Before departure, fill up at a reliable gas station. Along the way, never refuel randomly—opt for larger stations with more customers whenever possible.
◎ Bring the “Four Essentials” before you travel
Example: A netizen told the author that no matter how troublesome it may seem, they always carry all kinds of tools when traveling. Once their car broke down, and thanks to the tow rope they had, they were able to find a repair shop with help from companions and solve the problem.
Tip: When traveling, car trouble can happen anytime. It’s best to have the “Four Essentials” in your vehicle at all times. These include: a tow rope, jumper cables, a triangular warning sign, and a spare tire.
◎ Book your hotel in advance
Example: A self-driving enthusiast arrived in Yangshuo during a golden week holiday, only to find it was already midnight. Not knowing the area well, several hotels they asked about were fully booked, and they ended up spending the night in the car.
Tip: Always book your hotel accommodations in advance. You can book through a travel agency, ask a local friend to help, or use online travel service platforms. But stay alert—beware of shady websites that might take your deposit and then leave you stranded.
◎ Be extra cautious when overtaking
Example: During a trip on National Day, the author personally witnessed a minivan trying to overtake illegally on the wrong side of the road. It collided head-on with a truck carrying lime, resulting in the tragic deaths of all five people in the van.
Tip: Road safety must be kept in mind at all times, but driving on rural roads, national highways, or regular roads is different from driving in urban areas. On two-lane roads, overtaking often requires borrowing the other lane—so be especially careful. Avoid overtaking in accident-prone zones, on roads marked with solid lines, at turns, or on uphill/downhill stretches.
◎ Plan your travel route in advance
Example: A reader who once traveled to Yangshuo told the author that by avoiding a road under construction, he saved two hours compared to those who took the old route.
In addition to checking online, you can also consult with travel agencies and local tourism offices. It’s best to choose officially open scenic spots rather than venturing into unknown or less-traveled places.
Tip: Designing a travel route has two parts. First, determine which scenic spots you want to visit. When choosing them, aside from recommendations from other travelers, avoid unapproved or unofficial sites. Second, after finalizing your destinations, map out your driving route. Follow the principle of prioritizing expressways, then national highways. Also, based on maps and advice from those familiar with the roads, familiarize yourself with road conditions, food options, lodging, and gas station locations along the way.
◎ Be mindful of parking safety
Example: During a trip, parking randomly on the roadside for convenience can easily lead to car theft or being towed.
Tip: Always prioritize safety when parking. Whenever there’s a parking lot available, use it—don’t park randomly by the roadside. If you need to stop en route without a parking lot, it’s best to leave someone in the car to watch your belongings. Upon reaching a scenic area, park in designated lots or parking spaces, turn off the engine, pull the handbrake, and shift into gear. Ideally, point the front of the car toward the exit direction for easier departure later.
◎ Stay alert for “crash-for-cash” scams
Example: Some media have reported incidents in certain areas where so-called "crash gangs" extort money from out-of-town drivers under the pretext of traffic accidents. Therefore, self-drive travelers should be on high alert for such "crash gangs."
▲Reminder: If you encounter such a situation while on a self-drive trip, never choose to settle privately out of fear of being held responsible for the accident. Instead, call the police and let the traffic authorities handle it.
◎Travel with companions and avoid driving while fatigued
Example: The author’s friend Mr. Huang said that on one family trip, due to lack of experience, he was the only one driving. After driving for ten hours to reach the destination, he had no energy left to enjoy the trip.
▲Reminder: Since self-drive tours usually involve long-distance driving and destinations are often unfamiliar, experienced travelers advise first-timers to go with companions rather than setting off alone.
◎Update your insurance policy and pay road maintenance fees
Example: Insurance companies report that many self-driving vehicle owners purchase policies with coverage limited to Guangdong Province, making them ineligible for claims when accidents occur outside the province.
▲Reminder: To be on the safe side, before departure, visit your insurance company to request a “policy endorsement” to extend coverage to other provinces. For comprehensive insurance, going out of province for one month typically incurs an additional premium of just 50 RMB. Additionally, remember to bring all relevant documents and receipts, such as your ID, driver’s license, vehicle registration, road maintenance fee, and vehicle tax receipts. Note that road maintenance fees in our city can be purchased up to the end of January, but this may not apply in other provinces, so make sure to purchase the road maintenance fee before setting off.