Holiday trips might be on hold for now until later in 2020. Nevertheless, many South Africans will be driving long distances to their holiday destinations or for their work trips once more in the future.
What can a person do to make their next long-distance drive more relaxed and safer? We’ll explore the tips below.
Long-distance driving tips1
Make sure that your car is roadworthy before your trip. Don’t delay any needed maintenance until after your next trip. Do a careful inspection of your vehicle to ensure that your car is ready to operate on your journey safely.
Are you familiar with driving the car? Will you be using a rental vehicle or a friend’s car? Make sure that you know how to safely operate the vehicle that you are applying for your trip.
Start your journey with a full tank of fuel. Maintain at least a quarter tank of fuel for unexpected detours. Plot out all of the petrol stations along your trip to avoid running out of fuel while driving.
You need to get enough sleep before the trip. Ensure that you eat healthy food before and during your trip to help you stay alert. Avoid drinking anything with a high level of caffeine content, which will only give you a short burst of energy and make you feel even more tired once the caffeine wears off. Don’t drink any alcoholic drinks before and while you drive. Alcohol will negatively affect your driving capabilities.
Take plenty of breaks along your journey. Ideally, stop after driving for a few hours at a time to stretch your legs.
It is ideal to have company when driving long distances. Share your driving responsibilities if possible. Avoid using cruise control if you are driving alone because concentrating on regulating your vehicle’s speed may help you stay more alert. A slightly opened window and listening to music could also help keep you alert.
Remember to make sure that your car is entirely out of the road when you need to pull over to reduce the potential of getting hit by oncoming traffic.
Make sure to use your car’s infotainment system or aftermarket hands-free kit if needed instead of using your cell phone. Also, don’t text while you drive. Cell phones are dangerous distractions for drivers.
Make a note of the potential weather conditions along your journey before you leave. This will help you to prepare adequately and to avoid poor weather if possible. Are there any flood warnings or potentially poor visibility along your route?
Navigation apps, like Google Maps or Waze, can assist you with planning your route and help you avoid any unexpected road closures or traffic jams. Take a map book with you as a backup, which you should familiarise yourself with as well.
Always be mindful of your belongings. Keep all valuables and luggage inside your car’s boot.
Obey all traffic laws. Don’t speed, instead leave earlier than rush to make up time. Seat belts save lives, but only if they are worn. Always buckle up.
A roadside assistance membership, if your car insurance doesn’t offer roadside assistance, can be helpful in case your car breaks down.
Ensure that you have an adequate first-aid kit, a spare tyre or a working tyre repair kit (if your car doesn’t come with a spare tyre), 5L water bottle and jumper cable kit in your vehicle.
These tips, if followed, will help make your next long-distance drive safer and more enjoyable.
Perhaps consider having car insurance cover before your trip for added peace of mind. Do you already have vehicle insurance? Maybe consider getting cheap car insurance with PMD.
Sources:
1 https://www.smartertravel.com/top-20-safe-driving-tips/
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Know the Signs of Driver Tiredness and Fatigue!! Plan for the long-distance travel and make those Regular Rest Stops! https://t.co/JGjmcpuOD6 #ArriveAlive #DriverTiredness #Fatigue pic.twitter.com/XQalyg7Vit
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) March 21, 2020