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Motorists that are embarking upon a particularly long journey should ensure their vehicle is fully prepped to minimise the number of stops and improve road safety.

One of the most simple and important checks to make is a car's tyre pressure and tread, according to Robert Gifford, the executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS).

This ensures that a car is safe to drive with the appropriate grip and with no risk of tyre blow-out, but can also maximise the car's fuel efficiency.

To reduce the need to make a surprise stop, ensure that the screen washer is filled with water and cleaning fluid and the car has enough fuel and oil.

"It depends upon the length of the journey that somebody is making but that is all practical advice to ensure that your vehicle is not going to cause you difficulty while you are on your way to wherever you want to get to," said Mr Gifford.

It may also be advisable for motorists to get a summer maintenance check, particularly if the vehicle is a bit older, he added.