Taking a road trip seems like an obvious choice in terms of thesafest way to travelduring the coronaviruspandemic.
(If you actually have to travel at all.)
But spending hoursor daysdriving can be mentally taxing.
Marina Esmeraldo
And automobile accidents are a very real concern.
Thats why youll want to find strategies to keep you alert andsafe when driving.
We tapped long-haul truck drivers for their best safety tips.
After all, whos more prepared than the people who regularly drive for hours on end?
Heres what they say you should know.
Theres nothing wrong with using GPS to give you an idea, she tells SELF.
Then, look for recreation areas, restrooms, and dining along the way so you never feel lost.
I stick to chains, she says.
It doesnt mean that youre deadlocked into that, she tells SELF.
Eat, sleep, and hydrate well.
Then theres the food aspect.
Gaudette makes sure she eats a good meal before starting her drive.
She prefers aprotein-heavy breakfast,like an omelet, to help her feel more satisfied and alert.
Gaudette also drinks plenty of water throughout the trip, which yes, means more bathroom breaks.
You might venture to drive to your destination with minimal pit stops.
Gaudette says moving and getting her circulation going helps her stay alert during long drives.
And of course, youll want to stop if youre tired.
I think the most difficult part is boredom or drowsiness.
If youre not used to it, it can really suck you in, says Comas.
Listening toaudiobooksand checking the rearview and side mirrors are two ways she reduces the chances of zoning out.
McLaughlin constantly checks her surroundings to avoid getting the staresies and even makes it into a game.
Get to know road signs.
For example, construction signs have an orange background and will always trump other signage, she says.
Yellow signs are cautionary.
it’s possible for you to check out theU.S.
Department of Transportationfor more information about road symbols and signs.
Make your car road-trip-ready.
Ensure your car is well-maintained before taking any long trip.
It would take a mechanic maybe 20 minutes to do a general overall check, says Duncan.
Make room for trucks.
Chances are youll encounter large trucks whendriving on your trip.
Everyone says its important to allow plenty of following room when driving behind these massive machines.
Dont ride next to uswe cant see you.
Our blind spots are humongous, says Comas.
This article is presented by Volvo.
