Brisbane, 14 September 2021

Allianz Global Assistance lists its top 6 safety tips for drivers these holidays

With most of the east coast of Australia currently under lockdown, Queenslanders will be road tripping in their own state in greater numbers these September school holidays. Technology will play a key role in helping drivers stay safe and to reach their destination easily, but there are some simple pre-drive checks which can help drivers enjoy their trip.

1.  
2. Get a mobile holder for your car. It is illegal to hold your phone in your hand or have it resting on any part of your body, such as your lap, while driving or riding. This applies even when you’re stopped in traffic or at traffic lights. Having a good car phone mount provides a safe and simple way to make and receive hands-free calls and to use your GPS.
   
3. Enter your destination in your smartphone navigation application before you leave so that you don’t need to touch your phone again while on the move. Navigation applications on smartphones have long surpassed street directory books use and they are an easier alternative to satellite navigation systems. The key to ensuring a safe drive is to remember that if you do need to make a change, get a passenger to help, or pull over and safely park first.
4. Dash cams are another form of technology that have risen in popularity in recent years. They provide excellent safety support by recording and storing evidence if an incident occurs. Dash cams may be helpful if you need to make an insurance claim.
5. Remember to switch off your lights before you get out. Technological innovations may have changed the way we drive, however the most common reason people contact Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) is for flat batteries. This year alone AGA has received over 24,000 call-outs for battery-related faults. Many car batteries run flat simply because people forget to turn off their lights. AGA also recommends that drivers, especially those who work from home and may not drive as much, take their car for at least one long drive before their trip to ensure that their battery is fully charged.
6. Check your tyres. Almost 16,000 people called Allianz Global Assistance for a flat tyre in 2021. It’s the second most common reason that people call AGA. Although flat tyres can occur due to many unforeseeable reasons, you can perform a quick check before you drive. Simply place a 20c coin in one of the circumferential grooves. If the tread doesn’t reach the bill of the platypus (which is about 3mm), we recommend that you replace your tyre.
7. Get roadside assistance. You never know when you may need assistance. It’s important to ensure that you’ve got support if you find yourself stranded on the side of the road. Make sure that you have roadside assistance before you go and save AGA’s number in your phone so that you can get help if you need it.

AGA’s rapid response network has helped more than 66,000 Aussie drivers get back on the road safely this year. That’s an average of more than 260 rescues each day.

In Australia, Allianz Global Assistance has been helping drivers on the roadside for over 30 years. For more information, visit: https://www.allianzpartners.com.au/roadside-assistance/

Thrive PR | allianzpartners@thrivepr.com.au

Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, automotive and assistance. Customer driven, our innovative experts are redefining insurance services by delivering future-ready, high-tech high-touch products and solutions that go beyond traditional insurance. Our products are embedded seamlessly into our partners’ businesses or sold directly to customers, and are available through two commercial brands in Australia: Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Care. Present in over 75 countries, our 19,400 employees speak 70 languages, handle over 58 million cases each year, and are motivated to go the extra mile to help and protect our customers around the world.

Allianz Global Assistance provides a portfolio of assistance services to automotive manufacturers and partners. Driven to add value and benefit for our business partners, we deliver customized products and service solutions. We partner with over 40 car brands in more than 30 countries, providing solutions that can be embedded seamlessly inside client ecosystems. Our innovative experts go beyond insurance, focusing on technological mobility trends to anticipate and respond to changing consumer needs and behaviours. Allianz Global Assistance is a consumer brand reflecting the automotive business of Allianz Partners.