Top Tips for Those Who Drive Long Distances

At some point in your driving life, you will have had to make a long distance journey, and don’t call us worrisome when we say that long distance drives can be incredibly dangerous if you don’t know what you’re in for.

There are various safety measures to consider before you set out on your long drive, such as maintenance, driver fatigue, and preparing for breakdowns (you never know). We’ve all seen the adverts about people sleeping at the wheel, or being so tired that they could no longer pay attention to the road, that’s why it’s imperative that you let us, who specialise in business fleet insurance, give you some helpful tips that’ll keep you grief and accident free on your next long drive.

Set off well rested

A study conducted by the charity Brake revealed that 49% of the drivers they asked in the study admitted that they would often set off on a journey on just less than 5 hours sleep. What’s important to note is that driving will fatigue you, like anything does, when you haven’t had enough sleep so it’s absolutely mandatory that you don’t set off too early; that you set off at least an hour after you wake up and that you’ve had a good night’s sleep.

Stock up on essentials

You never know what could happen on a long drive – for all you know, you might be stuck somewhere for a long period of time, perhaps after a break down. That’s why it’s important that you stock up on some food and water before you set off, as well as stocking some blankets and maybe a hot drink in a thermal flask if you’re travelling in cold weather.

Check your vehicle is ‘ready to go’

Before setting off on a long journey, it’s always a good idea to check certain things on your vehicle like:
Tyre tread – legal minimum depth of 1.6mm, with a recommended depth of 3mm.
Engine – check water coolant and oil levels to avoid the engine overheating or failing.
Windscreen – make sure you have plenty of windscreen washer stocked.
Lights – remember, it’s a legal requirement to have fully working lights, which contribute to the safety of both you and other drivers.

Take breaks

A study on long distance driving shows that the length of time driven directly correlates with tiredness and driving performance. The study also indicates that after two hours of continuous driving, your performance begins to deteriorate, and after four hours, your reactions and attention will have changed for the worse.

Taking a short break every two hours has been proven to reduce driver fatigue significantly, even if all you end up doing is stretching your legs or taking a quick nap in a safe place at the side of the road.

Hopefully, you should be more prepared for your long drive with these tips. Of course, it’s always imperative that you have insurance, whether it’s for one vehicle or an entire fleet. Here at insureFLEET, that’s exactly what we provide, so contact us today on 0333 202 3173 and speak to one of our friendly team.

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