10 Rules for Long-Distance Driving Safety

Summertime is here, and for many it means vacations. This is the time of year when travelers visit families in other parts of the country or when parents are able to take their children on a trip back in history. The time is spent bonding and learning about each other for a short while to carry through until the next vacation.

Even with the high price of gas there are still many vacationers on the road. They may be more careful in choosing their destination or maybe the money is not an issue with them. Whatever the reason when driving for a long distance you can become tired and when this happens you become a danger to yourself and other drivers. With a few simple tips you can make the trip better for everyone including yourself and your family.

1. Be sure to have your car serviced at least two weeks in advance of your trip. This will give you time to make any repairs or prepare for possible problems on the road.

2. Carry a small ice chest with you filled with bottled water, juice, fruit or other healthy snacks. This is a great pick up when you feel yourself starting to run down.

3. If you are traveling alone invest in a few books on cd's, comedy cd's, good, loud wake up music and use them. If you still have a tape player in your car you can still purchase a lot of the merchandise on tape. If you are traveling with family then play word games, sing, make up songs or poems. Do something together that involves noises.

4. Keep the inside of your car cool. This will help to fight sleepiness. If you don't want to use the air conditioning too much then carry a spray bottle with water. Roll the window down to a comfortable level and spray the water on your neck and lower face to help your natural cooling system.

5. Take a break from driving at least every two hours. Get everyone out of the car and walk or run around the car a few times. Stretch and move your body until you feel completely awake.

6. Wear glasses with clear glass if you don't normally wear glasses. This will help to protect your eyes from drying out from the wind and air.

7. When you are driving at night try not to stare at the oncoming lights of other cars. If they have their brights on adjust your eyes to the line away from them or close your left eye to protect your night vision once they are past. You can flash your lights in hopes they will use their lower setting, but don't leave the brights on because you now have two blinded fools coming at each other. Let it go and protect yourself.

8. Keep your dash board lights dim if you are driving an older car or if the newer car with let you dim them at night. Do not turn them off! You still need to be aware of speed, overheating or any other problems. With the dash board lights dim at night this helps to keep your eyes more relaxed and you feeling more awake.

9. If you start to feel pain or stress in your lower back stop the car and do a few gentle stretching exercises. You can help the back pain while driving by placing a folded towel or jacket at your lower back against the seat.

10. Finally if you are getting to tired then find a room for the night and stop! It doesn't matter if you are only an hour from your destination. You can still get in a horrible wreck when you are only 10 minutes away. Get a good nights sleep, eat a good breakfast and arrive fresh and ready to have fun for the day! Make your trip full of good memories, not tragic ones.