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Traveling this holiday season? No matter where you're headed, you certainly won't be alone. According to a recent AAA survey, "nearly 90% of holiday travelers will be driving to their destinations, making it the most popular way to travel." And if you're traveling a far distance to see friends and family, you should also include a rest schedule.
Why Breaks Matter
It takes years of experience to build up a resistance to long-distance travel. For most drivers, a long-distance road trip might happen once a year. While there is a lot of excitement around taking these kinds of trips, they can also pose challenges to your well-being and safety. Here's what can happen if you're on the road for long stretches:
General Fatigue
Although you might be driving 55 mph, your body tends to slow down on long-distance trips. That can lead to general physical and mental fatigue, which can impair your response time and impact your ability to focus.
Stiffness and Discomfort
No matter where you're sitting, if you stay in one position for extended periods, you can experience stiffness, discomfort, and muscle cramps that can last long after you get up to stretch.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Prolonged immobility increases the risk of DVT. This is a condition where blood clots form in deep veins. That can lead to potentially serious health issues. It is one of the reasons you're recommended to get up and walk around when flying.
Signs of Fatigue
Are you feeling tired at this moment? Those same signs of fatigue you can experience at your desk at work or relaxing at home you can recognize when driving long distances. If you experience any of these signs when you're behind the wheel, you need to consider taking a break.
These signs of fatigue often increase the longer you stay on the road without a break. All of that can lead to dangerous driving conditions that can lead to a car accident.
Road Trip Safety Tips
A lot of the planning for your road trip can be focused on the destination. You should devote the same amount of attention to your actual driving time. Here are the road trip safety tips you can put into action for your next journey:
You might rely on GPS map apps when planning your next long-distance road trip. Those will provide you with the estimated travel time and give you a good sense of when you should be stopping for a break.
Prioritize Restful Sleep
When you fly, you have the option to grab a nap. Some flyers might even sleep for the entire flight. You don't have that luxury when you're driving. Instead, you need to start your trip fully energized. That means getting adequate sleep the night before your trip.
Stay Hydrated and Snack Smart
Experiencing thirst from dehydration and pangs of hunger can contribute to fatigue. To stay hydrated and maintain your energy levels, you should have water and healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, and granola bars at the ready.
Use Caffeine the Right Way
Pulling over for a cup of coffee can provide a much-needed jolt of caffeine to keep you alert. While that might be effective in the short term, drinking a lot of coffee can mess with your sleep schedule later in the trip.
Take Turns Driving
If you're sharing the trip with other licensed drivers, you should take turns behind the wheel. That can reduce fatigue and keep everyone alert when needed.
Listen to Your Body
Your body tells you when you're thirsty and hungry. It also tells you when you need rest. If you're experiencing those signs of fatigue mentioned above, you should pull over to take a power nap. A twenty- or thirty-minute nap can provide you with the boost you need to stay alert on the next leg of your trip.
Avoid Driving During Your Peak Sleep Time
You might think that driving overnight will mean avoiding traffic. While that might be true, it could also increase your risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Your body has already been locked in an internal sleeping schedule. If you force yourself to stay awake when you're normally sleeping, it could lead to extreme drowsiness.
Drowsy driving might become a factor in an accident that you've been involved in with another motorist. If it can be found that the driver was asleep at the wheel, it could be an indication of negligence. The Peterson Law Office is very familiar with this kind of scenario.
We have helped many clients who have been the victim of car accidents involving drowsy drivers. Our goal is to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions. If you suspect drowsy driving as an issue, we want to hear from you.