Tips for Driving Safely This Summer Festival Season

Did you know that nearly 1,000 festivals are held annually in the UK? Most of these are held between May and September, making the most of the good weather and longer days.

From Glastonbury to Reading & Leeds, thousands of festivalgoers commute across the country to these massive events every summer, causing havoc on the roads.

If you’ve secured a ticket to one of the UK’s many festivals this year, and you’re planning to drive you and your friends there, read on for some handy tips to stay safe, keep your car clean, and be prepared in case of a breakdown. 

Making sure your car gets you there safely

Our first tip is to make sure that your car is in a good enough condition to get you and your passengers safely to the festival, without a breakdown or an emergency.

Check your car over before you go

Unless you’re lucky enough to live somewhere like Pilton, just down the road from where Glastonbury is held, the chances are you might have quite the drive in store when it comes to travelling to your festival. 

To ensure your vehicle is safe to make the trip, carry out these simple checks in the days leading up to (or the morning of) your departure:

1. Make sure you have enough coolant.
2. Check your engine oil levels.
3. Test whether all your lights are working as they should be.
4. Ensure there are no cracks or bulges on your tyres.
5. Make sure your tyre tread depth is not worn down below the legal minimum.
6. Pump your tyres up to the correct pressure (including the spare).
7. Double check that your road tax and MOT haven’t run out.
8. Top up your screenwash.
9. Pack a car jack and a locking wheel nut key in case you need to change a tyre.
10. Check your air con works - a comfort essential in the summer!

For a complete breakdown of how to carry out these 10 simple checks, head to our blog titled ‘10 Essential Pre-Holiday Car Checks You Can Do Yourself’.

Carry breakdown gear (just in case)

While your 10 safety checks will minimise the risk of a breakdown significantly, sometimes, things just happen.  To prepare for the unlikely event of a breakdown, pack yourself an emergency kit in the boot including:

• A spare change of clothes
• Jump leads
• A torch
• A first aid kit
• A warning triangle 
• A portable charger 
• Some non-perishable snacks
• Water.

That way, you’ll be well equipped to respond quickly and safely if you do need to pull over and call for assistance or change your tyre. If you’re unsure what to do if you break down, read our handy guide to be ultra-prepared.

Staying safe on the road

Reduce distractions

If you’re the designated driver for all your friends (and their tents … and bags… and food), your car will likely be pretty cramped and chaotic. While it’s tempting to belt out your favourite hit, grab a snack, chat, and really lean into that festival energy, it’s essential that you minimise distraction as much as possible, ensuring everyone arrives in one piece before you let loose.

• Try to keep music and in-car concerts to a sensible level, so that you can hear if another driver uses their horn to alert you of something.
• Don’t check your phone (even if it’s tempting). Legally, you should never touch your phone while in operation of a vehicle, even if it’s stationary.
• Pull over in a safe place to eat if you’re hungry - don’t have one hand on the sandwich, one hand on the wheel.

Stay hydrated

Festival season is always notoriously warm, and sitting in a hot car in traffic without water is never high on anyone’s list of preferred activities. 

Driving for long periods of time in the heat without stopping to hydrate is bound to lead to headaches and tiredness, distractions which can cause your driving standards to slip. Keep a couple of bottles of water in the centre console or door panel (out of direct sunlight if possible) to make sure you’re nice and hydrated on the drive to and from your festival.

Keep comfortable in the cab

Similarly, a car that’s too hot, a windscreen that’s too dusty, and glare that’s too bright never make for focused, comfortable driving conditions. Prevent discomfort on your long festival commute but making simple adjustments to your car’s interior:

• Make sure your car’s air con is working properly and blowing out cold air.
• Adjust the vents to be on your face and feet for maximum cooling.
• Have some sunglasses to hand to reduce eye strain in ultra-bright conditions.
• Clean your windscreen, removing any dirt and grime to make it easier to see out of direct sunlight. 
• Take a windscreen shield to keep your car’s interior cooler when you’re parked.

Take regular breaks

While you’ll likely be fulled by adrenaline on your journey to the festival, driving home is always pretty gruelling after multiple days of dancing, and nights spent sleeping on a defective air mattress. 

If you feel yourself getting tired on the way home, take a break, get a drink, stretch your legs, and rest your eyes for a while. Try to break every hour or so, for at least fifteen minutes, to give your body a proper chance to reset each time. If you can share the drive with a reliable friend, do so. 

Also, it’s essential to make sure you’re in a suitable condition to drive; you should never drive with substances like alcohol in your system, as this can distract you from the road and cause you to act dangerously. 

Keeping your car clean

Festivals are not squeaky clean places at the best of times, especially when it's been raining. Mud and festivals just go hand in hand, so here are some tips to help prevent your car from falling victim to muddy wellies and gear.

Car mats

If you care about your footwells, consider switching to rubber floor mats for the weekend. Compared to fabric ones, these can be cleaned much easier (hosed down or scrubbed with soapy water), so it matters much less if muddy boots and bags get placed on them.

Bin bags are your friend

If the end of the weekend is looking like a mudslide, bin bags will be your friend. If it’s been pouring with rain and you’ve seen your fair share of tent floods and pathway slip-and-slides, placing bin bags over your seats will help prevent muddy, damp clothes from staining your upholstery. Muddy wellies can be stored in bin bags in the boot for this reason too, as can any broken or waterlogged kit. 

Pack the boot well

Speaking of the boot, you’ll want to pack it strategically to make sure you have a safe, easy journey there and back. Don’t pile bags high and obscure your rear view, and don’t leave things loose in the boot to roll around and distract you while driving. As for what to pack, we can’t plan your festival outfits for you, but the items above in the “carry breakdown gear” section are our recommended essentials.

For more tips on how to pack a boot with precision, read our blog titled, “The Essential Car Boot Packing Guide”. 

Drive safe, have fun

Keep your car in the best possible condition with Kwik Fit’s free vehicle safety checks, regular servicing, and maintenance advice. Reduce the risk of a breakdown or accident stopping your festival plans in their tracks before they’ve begun and trust the guidance of the expert technicians at your local Kwik Fit.

Wherever you’re headed this summer, be it Boomtown or Creamfields, make sure you drive safely and have fun.