Once you leave the world of commuting behind, long journeys may not be a regular part of your life as a senior driver. However, on occasion, there may be good reason for you to buckle up and prepare yourself for an extended trip. Whether that’s visiting loved ones who live further away or going away on a fun vacation, retaining your driving license gives you the freedom to go out and explore the world at your own pace.
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There are some good habits that any driver needs to exhibit in order to stay safe, but these become even more important as we age. As a senior, your reaction times may be slower and you may need to take more frequent breaks to rest. When done correctly, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t commit to longer trips – but a little bit of preparation goes a long way. Let’s look at some top tips for staying safe on a long car journey.
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Driving at night can be convenient – it allows you to get the most out of your time at your destination and is often a quieter time on the road. However, when you’re driving in the early evening or even the dark, you’re fighting your body’s natural tendency towards rest and sleep. Especially if you usually head to bed early, you’ll start to wind down as a matter of habit, making it harder to concentrate and putting yourself and others at risk. Not to mention, our vision becomes naturally impaired in low-light conditions, meaning we might miss potential hazards – like pedestrians and animals – or important road signs.
What we eat before we drive is not something that many of us think about. In fact, in many cases, it’s tradition to stock up with ‘car snacks’ that you might see as a treat that adds to the experience. But, just like our diet impacts our energy levels the rest of the time, pre-driving food also impacts how we are behind the wheel. If you have a big meal, you’re more likely to be lethargic and struggle to concentrate.
Instead, opt for high-energy foods such as bananas, sweet potatoes, eggs, dark chocolate and yogurt before you hit the road.
With sat navs coming as standard in many cars today, it’s easy to let the vehicle do the navigating for you. And whilst that’s generally fine, as you’re able to smartly avoid traffic and find the most efficient route, having to look at a screen and a road simultaneously can be distracting. Especially if you find the audio guidelines harder to hear, you’ll rely on looking at the map, which takes your attention away from sudden changes such as cars stopping in front of you.
Knowing the general direction of where you’re headed means that you’re able to use road signs to direct you if you miss the designated turn-off point, as well as allowing you to get into the correct lane early on. You don’t need to have everything memorized, but avoiding last-minute lane changes and knowing roughly where to go if there’s a road closure can help you keep your eyes up until you can find a safe space to stop and reroute.
When you’re sitting on a long stretch of highway for miles and miles, you may not feel like you need to take a break. Especially if you’ve got cruise control or an automatic car, you may barely feel like you’re driving at all. But this isn’t the case; you still need to be in control and make sure you’re watching out for obstacles and other vehicles.
Experts recommend stopping every two hours for a short period of time, with longer breaks factored in the further you go. This might feel excessive, but taking these regular breaks keeps you and others safe. You’ll also be glad you’ve taken a comfort break if you end up stuck in traffic.
As a senior, you may have extra health conditions that you need to consider when taking a long drive. Whether you take regular medication, or just need to ensure that you’re staying at a comfortable temperature, try and pack some supplies that will ensure your safety should your car break down. This could be as simple as some blankets, or cereal bars and water to keep your energy levels up should you need to wait at the side of the road. You’ll also want to pack a simple first aid kit.
You may have your eye on the prize and be focused on getting to your destination, but it’s important to take things at a sensible pace. Ultimately, it’s far more important to keep yourself and others safe than it is to be on time. Make sure you’re creating an environment where you’re able to focus on the road, follow the rules and enjoy your trip in comfort.
Author bio: John Michael Clement
As a grandfather of two, Michael often travels across the state to visit his family. He aims to share actionable tips to help seniors live happier, healthier lives and get the most out of their retirement. Writing is also one of his hobbies, which he enjoys pursuing during his free time.