Driving long distances, whether for work or for holiday, can be quite stressful if not well thought-out and planned.
Let’s have a look at some helpful and safe tips on long distance travelling and how to be prepared before setting off on a great road trip with the family or by yourself.
Tips for Long Distance Travelling 1
1. Make sure before you embark on your road trip to get enough sleep. Eat a healthy snack or meal before you travel. This will help your brain feel more alert. Stay away from highly caffeinated drinks, as they only give a short-lived burst of energy and you will feel sleepier afterward.
2. Make sure to take regular breaks while driving. It’s always a good thing to stop every couple of hours and freshen up, stretch your legs and eat a snack. It’s good to do this even if you are not feeling tired.
3. Try and share the driving responsibilities with one of your passengers that are capable. This will help you take a short nap in between and have the added bonus of keeping each other company.
4. If you are travelling alone, try not to use the cruise control on your car. Concentrating on maintaining speed will help you stay alert while driving. Also, open your window slightly and play some music to stay awake.
5. Always make sure to move your car completely off the road when you need to pull over, for safety reasons.
6. Don’t use your cellphone while driving. Not only is it against the law, but it will also break your concentration while driving. Make use of a hands-free kit or use Bluetooth if your car comes with Bluetooth connectivity.
7. Try not to consume any alcohol before you drive, even if it’s one beer. Not only is it against the law, but it will affect your driving capabilities or make you sleepy.
8. Be aware of the weather. This will help you plan your trip better and not get stuck in a terrible storm.
9. Try and make use of navigation apps, like Google Maps or Waze to plan your route. This will help you avoid any road closures or traffic jams.
10. Go old school and take along a map book. Navigation apps are not always foolproof.
11. When using a rental car, make sure to familiarise yourself with the car before driving it.
12. Lock up your luggage and valuables in the boot of the car or in a place that is not visible from the outside of the car.
13. Always stick to the rules and laws of the road, to prevent any problems whilst driving.
14. Do a thorough inspection of your car before you go on a long-distance drive. Make sure your car is serviced and always put in a full tank of petrol.
15. If you can afford to, sign up to a roadside assistance membership. That way, if you were to breakdown, you won’t be left stranded.
16. Stick to the speed limit. Not only does this reduce the risk of an accident, but it also helps you maintain good fuel efficiency.
17. Never let your car run on empty on unfamiliar roads. Keep your petrol gauge above a quarter of a tank and make sure you know when the next petrol station.
18. Buy and make snacks before your trip. This will reduce your costs and the need to buy from expensive petrol stations.
19. Remember to plan ahead and keep cash on you for the toll gates.
20. Keep a first-aid kit in the car, spare tyre, 5L water bottle and jumper cables.
21. Always make sure that you and your passengers are buckled up.
When you take your next road trip always remember to follow safety measures and the rules of the road, but most importantly relax and have fun. You should consider getting car insurance before you go on your next long trip.
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 and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040. 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.
Sources:
1 https://www.smartertravel.com/top-20-safe-driving-tips/
Safety Advice For Long Distance Driving https://t.co/aT6pOOKlwc #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/nAhlebqE1i
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) August 27, 2015