If you are used to holidaying at the beach each December, then you probably know how tiring a long road trip can be.
Taking a planned break every few hours on a long trip can be beneficial. But 65% of motorists do not feel they need it, says the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) in the UK.
“This is also true for local drivers. There is less speed enforcement on rural roads, and with long, quiet stretches between major cities a lot of drivers prefer to get it over with and drive continuously rather than stopping,” says Tania Joffe, head of Auto and General brokers.
The sad reality is driver-fatigue contributes to thousands of vehicle accidents, especially over the festive season.
While uninhabited stretches like the Karoo portion of the Johannesburg to Cape Town route might inspire drivers to turn up the music (and their speed), Joffe suggests a more relaxed approach that incorporates taking a break to freshen up.
According to the survey 85% of drivers prepare for a long trip by filling up with fuel, and 60% programmed their destination into a GPS, while just 50% planned to stop at a petrol station.
“Sometimes all it takes is 20 minutes of stretching to get revitalised, and if it helps you to drive more safely, then it is time well spent and should be factored into your driving schedule,” says Joffe.
Joffe recommends taking the following precautions for a long journey by car:
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