by John Tyler

Created on: December 10, 2009

Many Americans enjoy the idea of a full tank of gas, an open road, and the fabled American “road-trip”. Others are forced into driving long distances due to their work or family obligations. Regardless of the specific reason you are on the road, if you are preparing to make a long trip you can do a few small things to make it safer for you and your passengers.

First, you should prepare a travel itinerary prior to hitting the road with backup plans. Now that GPS navigation systems can be picked up for little more than the price of a computer game, many Americans simply type in the address and go. While GPS systems are great for navigation they do not plan routes based on your travel preferences, they do not plan for pit stops so you can stop and stretch, and in the worse case scenario – they do not always know when road closing construction may be ahead. I know it sounds primitive, but keeping backup map handy can be a lifesaver if you find yourself needing to do some old-fashioned navigation.

Second, do not drive for extremely long distances without setting aside time for a break, even if it is a small one. If you are driving multiple hours you should plan on pulling over, stretching, getting a snack or drink and giving your mind a brief break from the concentration required to drive. If you’re not concentrating on the road you are a danger to yourself and those around you – and it might be time to pull off for a minute or two. 

Third, have a large selection of music available. Music, when listened to at the proper volume, can be an essential for those long trips. If you like talk radio do a search on talk radio stations prior to leaving your house and write down the stations you will pass through on the way to your destination or simply hit the “scan” button on your radio. Anything to keep your mind from falling into the dull mundane state that happens after you have been staring at the interstate for half a dozen hours.

Finally, do not be afraid to call it a night. For those extremely long travels it is great to have a friend to switch off with as you’re driving; however, this is not always the case. If you find yourself nodding off or just unable to focus on the road – it’s time to pull off. This doesn’t always mean getting a hotel; rest stops and well-lit secure parking lots are a great place to catch a quick hour-long nap. Plan your trip so that you can make a pit stop to nap if necessary. Having some sort of roadside assistance incase of breakdowns isn’t always a bad idea either. 

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