Road safety charity the IAM is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week, he is advising on combating fatigue. This is particularly apt in Thailand where in the last week we have had two bus crashes, with fatigue fingered as a possible cause.
The IAM’s suggestions are:
– Plan your journey to include a stop at least once every two hours.
– Where possible, share the driving with another driver.
– Make sure you drink enough fluids.
– Don’t plan to travel late at night if you can avoid it. The overnight hours are particularly hard if you are tired.
– Don’t ignore warning signs of fatigue. If you feel drowsy, stop at the next pull-in area, get out of the car and walk around.
– In extreme cases, have a caffeine drink and sleep for 20 minutes while it takes effect. You can only do this once in a journey; it won’t have the same effect if you do it again.
IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger said, “Motorways are the safest roads – but they are monotonous. If you’re embarking on a long journey, get a good rest and use this advice to help make sure you’re alert throughout.”
Very wise advice!
