Exercises to help reduce stiffness during a long distance trip
Travelling in a car for a long period of time can be exhausting and trying on your body, resulting in stiff joints, tight muscles and mobility issues.
Driver Fatigue: How to stay awake on the road
By H&H Admin
Fatigue is a condition that affects everyone but few motorists realize the dangers caused by operating a vehicle while feeling tired or sleepy.
One of the key elements of safe driving is being awake and competent enough to concentrate on the road. According to South African road accident statistics, motorists who become drowsy or fall asleep at the wheel contribute to thousands of road accidents each year.
Driver fatigue is a physical and mental tiredness caused by lack of sleep or rest over a period of time. Generally associated with long-distance driving, fatigue can set in when the body’s natural rhythm is interrupted.
What causes fatigue?
Feeling tired at the wheel may be caused by a number of reasons such as:
- Medication
- Interrupted or insufficient sleep
- Tiredness
- Emotional stress, anxiety or depression
- Illness
- Insomnia
- Over eating
- Sun glare
- Lack of ventilation
- Drinking alcohol
What are the warning signs of fatigue?
There are a few signs that indicate tiredness and it is important that all motorists are able to identify these early on in their journey. These include:
- Trouble keeping one’s eyes open
- Trouble keeping one’s head up
- Inability to stop yawning
- Drifting between lanes or towards edge of the road
- Missing / not noticing road signs
- Eyes closing or losing focus
- Being unable to remember driving the past few kilometres
- Slow response time
- Difficulty maintaining attention
What should you do when you feel tired behind the wheel?
When driving, it is imperative to take action as soon as you start to feel drowsy.
- Take a break from driving every 200km or 2 hours
- Stop driving immediately. It is better to be late than to not arrive at all
- Take a nap in a safe, well-lit place (if it’s getting dark), such as at a police or service station
- If such is not available, pull into a lay-by or as far away as possible from the highway
- It is important to only nap for a few minutes (20 max) as anything longer than that will put you into a deep sleep cycle from which you may feel more tired and groggy once you awaken
- Should you take a nap in your car, keep the windows open just a crack and remember to:
- Lock your doors
- Keep valuables out of sight
- Set an alarm on your phone
- Have a coffee or energy drink to give you a much needed boost of caffeine
Avoiding driver fatigue on long trips
- Plan for long trips plan in advance so you know where you are going to take a break
- Share the drive with someone else
- Plan to stay somewhere overnight if you are going on a long journey
- Share the driving – and make sure you rest when you are not driving
- Try not to drive when you would normally be asleep (early mornings and late nights
- Wear good quality sunglasses
- Avoid heavy foods
- Don’t consume any alcohol during your trip
- Get some exercise – it helps get your blood circulating and makes you more alert
In the longer term, it is critical to get enough quality rest – between 6 and 8 hours – before you embark on a long journey. This will help reduce the chances of you becoming a road accident statistic and increase the odds of you, your passengers other road users being safe.
Safety Tip Of The Week: Don’t Drive While Tired
By H&H Admin
As exciting as the holiday season is, it can be extremely exhausting. Especially if you have to do last minute shopping and preparations for a long road trip. Being tired could seriously impair your ability to keep safe behind the wheel, putting your family and other road users at risk.
It is highly recommended that you get a minimum of 8 hours sleep prior to setting off for your holiday destination. Also, sticking to the recommended speed limit as well as keeping a safe following distance could significantly reduce your chances of becoming a road accident statistic.
Drive Defensively For A Safer Holiday Season
Compiled by H&H Admin
December is the most eagerly anticipated time of the year. It is also the most dangerous time to drive.
Wikipedia defines defensive driving as driving to save lives, time, and money, despite the conditions around you and the actions of others.
You may have covered the basic principles but you may have forgotten them over time, so it’s important to refresh your memory and stay abreast of current trends.
Here are a few practical steps that you can take to increase your safety and that of your loved ones.
There are, essentially, three principles to defensive driving.
1. Put safety first by following the rules of the road
- Speed kills, as you have less control of your vehicle and less time to react to hazards on the road. So, go easy on the accelerator.
- Obey traffic signs and lights. They are there to maintain a rules-based road network and, if everyone followed them, it would drastically reduce road dangers.
- Tailor your driving style to the weather. For instance, if there are Highveld storms, visibility is reduced, so cut your speed, increase following distances, and turn on your lights or hazards.
- Office parties are a great way to end the year but don’t drive under the influence of alcohol, or when you’re sleep-deprived.
2. Be courteous on the roads, but never assume it of other drivers
Manners cost nothing. It could mean letting someone into your lane or showing gratitude to other courteous drivers. If everyone drove with manners and predictability, the roads would be a much safer place.
As we all know, however, not everyone does. So, assume the worst of others and drive accordingly. Give everyone ample space, and you’ll protect yourself, no matter what they do.
3. Keep your car running optimally with regular maintenance
Defensive manoeuvres such as quick braking and swerving to avoid dangers will only work if your car is capable. Ensure your vehicle is in tip-top shape, especially before a long trip over the holidays.
Top up your car’s fluids. Ensure hoses and belts are in good condition and properly attached. Make sure your tyres, as well as the spare, are in good shape and inflated to the correct pressure.
Let’s look at the unique challenges motorists face on South African roads
- Lack of road maintenance, such as potholes, streetlights not working, non-existent signage, and soft or deep road edges means our country’s roads are a disaster waiting to happen. Drive accordingly.
- Nature can also be a threat, especially flooded roads after torrential rain. Stay alert to official warnings. Listen to radio traffic reports. Increase following distances. And make sure your tyres are in good condition and have ample tread.
- Stay alert for stray animals, (domestic and wild), pedestrians, cyclists and bikers on the roads.
- Criminals lay spikes on the road to puncture tyres. Motorists are forced to stop and in so doing, become vulnerable to attacks and robberies.
- Don’t drive over anything in the road, such as plastic bags, as these can be used to disguise spikes. Keep a safe following distance so their driving behaviour can alert you to potential threats.
And remember, you’re on holiday and it starts from the moment you hit the road. Don’t be in such a rush that you forget to enjoy the journey. Take a break every two hours to stretch your legs. You’ll stay fresh and alert to dangers.
Start your preparation for the holiday season by ensuring your tyres are in top condition.
Source: TI Auto
Think Safety Even During the Holidays: Part 1
With the end of 2020 comes a well-earned break after a long and extremely difficult year. In the first installment of our 3-part holiday driving series, we focus on the importance of driver attitude.
With the end of the year comes a well-earned break after a long and extremely difficult year. Typically, there’s a lot of traveling during this period. In keeping with Continental’s Vision Zero strategy that aims to reduce and eventually eliminate road traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities, we encourage all motorists and their families to play an active role in road safety this Festive Season.
One of the most importance elements of road safety is the driver and his or her attitude when behind the wheel. Follow these basics of safe holiday driving:
- Rest Before You Drive: Have a good night’s rest before heading on any long journey. Around eight hours of sleep is ideal.
- Don’t Drink and Drive: Drunk driving is a major contributing factor in road accidents and deaths in South Africa. Consuming just one or two drinks may put you over the legal limit. It’s simple: if you drink, don’t drive. And if you’re driving, be responsible and don’t drink!
- Don’t Drive Distracted: Using a phone while driving has rapidly become one of the biggest causes of accidents around the world, and is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Use a Bluetooth car kit if necessary, and keep your eyes on the road!
- Take A Break Every Two Hours: Take regular breaks throughout your trip, stopping approximately every two hours. Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of accidents – so if you’re tired, stop to change drivers or have a rest.
- Safety Belts: Safety belts must be worn by everyone in the car (both front and rear occupants), at all times. It’s your primary safety device, so don’t take chances! Young children should be strapped into an age-appropriate baby seat or a booster seat.
- Speed: Stick to the stipulated speed limits throughout your journey. Speed limits are set with your safety in mind, as well as that of fellow motorists and pedestrians. Rather take it easy and enjoy the journey!
- Following Distances: Maintain a 3-second following distance from the vehicle ahead, which gives you space to slow down or stop if necessary. If visibility is reduced due to rain or mist, or when driving at night, increase the gap to 6 seconds.
- Keep Left, Pass Right: The age-old rule of driving remains an important one, to ensure the smoothest possible flow of traffic, and to reduce congestion and frustration in traffic. Stick to the left lane, and use the right lane for passing manouevres.
- Emergency Access: If there’s an accident ahead, keep the shoulder of the road clear so that emergency vehicles can make their way to the scene as soon as possible. Clogging the entire road only leads to further delays – both for the accident victims who may need critical medical care (you never know, it could be your family or friends), and for all of the affected road users.
7 things your car needs to be ready for a road trip
If you are planning a long distance drive over the upcoming long weekend or any other, its important that you don’t embark on a trip without making sure that you car can handle the drive. ITs one thing to have a breakdown near your home or in the familiarity of your home city but mechanical failure hundreds of kilometers from the nearest town can be inconvenient to put it mildly.
Before you take to the open road make sure your car is thoroughly inspected, preferably by an expert. These are some of the basic checks a pre-road trip should entail:
- TYRE PRESSURE: It is important to ensure that your tyres are not over or under inflated. The correct tyre pressure will improve tyre maintenance and fuel efficiency, keeping you and your family safe while saving you money in the long term.
- ENGINE COOLANT: Many drivers understand that their cars need coolant but don’t fully understand why. Coolant protects the the metal and non-metal parts within the engine from freezing or overheating. It plays an important role in maintaining engine heat and ensuring the engine functions optimally, which will minimize your chances of getting stuck on the side of the road due to an overheating engine.
- BRAKES: Without a doubt your braking system is one of the most important safety features in your car. Brake pads should be checked by a professional, especially if you hear any abnormal sounds such as squealing and screeching or feel vibrations whenever you engage the brakes.
- WIPER BLADES: The worst time to discover that your wiper blades are worn is in the middle of a rain storm. streaks and smears indicate worn blades will hinder your ability to see through the windscreen clearly. Having your car checked before a long distance drive identify problems with the blades, giving you an opportunity to have them replaced for the benefit of your safety.
- BATTERY: Your car battery is the heart of your vehicle for all its electronics. The battery interacts with more components in your vehicle than you may know exist. It also stores electricity then sends out jolts to every electrical element in your car. Not only does it power the electrical components, but it also keeps the electrical current in your car steady, which means it makes sure your car starts and has enough electricity to stay running. If poorly maintained your car battery has the ability to completely shut your car down leaving your stranded.
- LIGHTS: Not only do headlights, taillights, brake lights and indicators go a long way towards ensuring your on -road safety, but they make you more visible to other road users too. replacement globes for most cars are quite inexpensive so there is no reasonable excuse for being a ‘one-eyed-bandit’.
- BELTS & HOSES: The hoses in your vehicle connect to the radiator, heater, fuel lines, vacuum lines, air conditioning, and power steering. Portions of hoses connected to the engine are flexible which allow them to absorb vibrations from the vehicle. Most often hoses will wear from the inside, appearing stable on the outside, however if one of these breaks you could find yourself stuck and inmobile.
As more and more people opt to keep their cars for longer (due to economic reasons), the likelihood of vehicles becoming unroadworthy increases. In turn, the probability of accidents caused by mechanical failure intensifies. In addition to having your car serviced regularly, getting it checked timorously prior to a long distance is vital. Don’t become a statistic, get your car checked before you go on holiday.
