Nine road safety tips: rest on the road

Are you coming home after all week nonstop? Don't forget the importance of rest on the road!

Finally, the bridge arrives. The end of the day is synonymous with going home and, with it, on the road. Millions of trips are planned for this weekend, or what is the same, millions of drivers will sit behind the wheel to start their weekend.

Here are the road safety tips

1. Get plenty of rest before driving

Before getting behind the wheel to drive, it is important to have had a proper rest the night before. A good 8-hour sleep will help keep you cool and alert when hitting the road.

2. Rest every two hours (or 200 km)

It is very important to assimilate this. It has been proven that road fatigue arrives after two hours of driving, or approximately 200 kilometers. In this sense, it is important that after this time you stop to rest for at least 15 minutes.

3. Coffee, your great ally

According to a study, coffee reduces reaction time in sleepy drivers by 7.7%. So you know, when you take a break, have a coffee.

4. Other stimulating drinks.

If you are one of those who do not drink coffee, you can always resort to other types of drinks with caffeine or other stimulants such as theine or taurine. Of course, keep in mind how strong they can be since overdoing them can be as bad as driving under the influence of fatigue.

5. If you are taking medicine, talk to your doctor.

Although it may seem obvious, there are certain types of medications that directly affect fatigue. If you are not sure how the prescribed drug may affect you, the most reasonable thing to do is ask your doctor.

6. Be careful with the heating.

Keep in mind that in terms of fatigue, it is not the same to drive in summer as in winter, as the temperature directly affects your rest. Making sure there is proper ventilation in your car, turning on the heat, or driving first thing in the morning can help you stay awake.

7. Ask your passengers for a little conversation.

It's crucial that you make an effort to break the ice at the beginning of the trip, just to make everyone feel more comfortable. The conversation will flow, and you will arrive at the destination almost without realizing it.

8. Pay attention to the signals your body sends you.

There are certain physical signals your body sends you that are obvious signs of fatigue. Being attentive to them and recognizing them is the first step to making your rest stop on the road. Continuous yawning, blinking, repetitive movement, or a feeling of "automatic pilot" are some of them.

9. Drink water.

Heating is capable of causing dehydration in drivers. Some of the symptoms are loss of attention, headaches, and muscle fatigue. Do not forget to always carry a bottle of water with you.

Last but not least, check the car condition properly, especially if you are renting a car. It is recommendable to rent a car in Karachi from Carlay Car Rental. It is a well known car rental company in Pakistan.