The Safe Driver

Safety tips for long distance journeys

**A contributed post as written for The Safe Driver.

It’s summer season at the time of writing, so you may be heading out on your annual summer road trip. Alternatively, you may be visiting family, preparing for a work convention, or journeying for any number of other reasons. Whatever the case, if you are travelling long distance, you need to adhere to a few safety tips. Check them out below.

• Get plenty of sleep the night before. Travelling a long way can be tiring, but the best way to avoid falling asleep at the wheel is to get plenty of shut-eye the night before (and even the night before that). You need to stockpile your energy – the road is long – and your life, and the lives of those around you are paramount.

• Ensure your car is in good condition. If you have any doubts at all, you should visit your local auto-mechanic to get everything checked out. You don’t want to break down en route, even if you do have breakdown cover as a backup. There are a few checks you can do yourself – oil levels, tyre pressure, etc. – and for anything too complicated for you, speak to a professional to ensure your car’s roadworthiness.

• Equip your car. There are a few must-have items for long-distance journeys, so ensure you have everything you need before you leave. In the car, you need a sat-nav (or a road atlas), first-aid kit, snacks, and water to keep you hydrated. On the build of your car, you need to ensure you have everything needed, such as the right suspension and bumpers if you’re going off-road. A spare tire-carrier is essential if you don’t already have one. Prepare your car in advance, visit Rough Country for some of your car essentials, and have the peace of mind that you are ready to begin your journey.

• Plan your stops. It’s a long road ahead, so there will be times when you will need to stop. Not only do you need toilet and food breaks, but it’s also important to stretch your legs every couple of hours or so to reduce cramp while you’re driving. There will be road signage directing you to rest places, but it’s still worth doing some research beforehand – there may be places of visual interest, so make the most of your long journey by seeing a few sights along the way.

• Ensure everybody is entertained. Not only do you need to entertain your kids (if you have any), but you should also entertain yourself. To prevent you from becoming bored (and tired at the wheel), focus on audiobooks and music to engage you on the drive. This is especially important if you are driving alone – the long road can be a lonely place, so a few sounds filling the airwaves will provide you with some comfort.

• Drive safely. It shouldn’t have to be said, but safe driving is a must. It can be tempting to put the foot down on long stretches of road, but speed limits should still be adhered to, even if the way is clear. Common sense is key, and it’s important to remember the lives of your passengers and other road users, as well as your own. You already know this, of course, but a reminder is always useful.

Adhere to our safety tips, and your long journey should go by without a hitch. Let us know if you have further safety tips of your own. Thanks for reading.