Everybody loves going on holiday and family road trips to get there are fun too. Many South African motorists want to get to their destination in a hurry and not prolong the journey with interfering stops. But that’s perhaps where you can make a great mistake. The issue is not getting to your destination as quickly as possible but as safely as possible. What’s the point of trying to get there when you don’t make it because of falling asleep at the wheel? Read on further for some great advice.1
Underestimating the strain of driving
Driving takes a lot out of anyone because of the enormous amount of concentration required. Constantly, you are making decisions of whether to slow down or speed up and overtake. Maintaining this is taxing on the brain, and so frequent stops are necessary to maintain that alertness that is so crucial for safe driving.
How often should you break?
As a rule of thumb, you need to stop every two hours and rest for 15 minutes. Don’t exceed 8 hours of driving per day. In this way, you minimise the risk of making incorrect decisions and experiencing slow reaction times because you are too sleepy. You also reduce the chance of falling asleep at the wheel, which can have disastrous consequences.
Remember to include the breaks in your schedule
Once you have decided on your expected arrival time, including the break times, you and the people at the other end will all be on the same page. And why not enjoy the journey instead of making it a gruelling trial of endurance?
Do your stopping intervals suit you?
Every driver is unique as a person with different abilities. You may find that you get tired more quickly and thus need to stop every 90 minutes. So, listen to what your body is saying and not to your schedule.
Night driving may require some adjustment
Driving at night when you are usually asleep may mean that your biological clock could make you feel sleepy. Try and work out when planning your trip at which garages you can have a biological break and a refreshing nap if need be. Safety is paramount, and in South Africa, it’s not wise to stop at the side of the road for a short sleep.
Don’t be stubborn
Don’t risk your life and those of your passengers by pushing on with the journey regardless. Preferably, have an unscheduled break at a guesthouse because you can’t continue the journey.
What about being on medication?
Ensure that the medication you are taking doesn’t make you feel drowsy while driving. Rather be safe than sorry – arrange for someone else to drive while you feel this way.
Had a large meal at one of the stops?
It’s better to eat small snacks on the way than have a huge meal that could make you feel sleepy.
If you damaged your car on the road by reacting too slowly, would your car be sufficiently covered? Before going on your trip, check that your insurance is always adequate. For more information, contact PMD, who also have on offer affordable car insurance products to suit your needs.
Source:
1https://lazytrips.com/blog/how-often-should-you-stop-on-a-road-trip
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.
