LONG-distance driving is no easy matter. The problem is that many motorists seem to have some sort of iron-willed hang-up about driving long distances without a break. It’s like refusing to put on sunscreen in 40-degree heat—it’s dangerous and just plain stupid. Ironically, it’s the thin line between danger and safety that most prefer to straddle, and it’s that very action that causes most accidents.

Any far-distance journey can be fun, just as long as all occupants are comfortable, relaxed and alert, not tense and tired. The BusinessMirror recommends the following for a safe and joyful trip:

§          Always research and become familiar with the route, including highlight points and landmarks. This allows the driver more time to concentrate on the road rather than on directions.

§          Don’t tailgate. Keep a respectful distance—one to two car lengths, roughly four seconds—from the vehicle in front of you. When the car in front of you passes a stationary object, slowly count to yourself. If you pass the object before the allotted time, you should back off. When traveling at night or inclement weather, these times should be doubled. That way you have an additional second or two to react should the vehicle in front suddenly stops.

§          Never drive for more than eight hours in a day. If the journey takes more than that, schedule the trip for two days instead of one. It keeps the driver well-rested and prevents the passengers from being restless.

§          When leaving for an out-of-town trip, be sure to give an itinerary to someone back at home with the route of travel, approximate time of arrival and a contact number at your destination. Do not deviate from this plan without informing your at-home contact. If you are traveling a long distance, check in throughout the trip with a current location and any changes in your route or times. If something were to happen, this information may be used to narrow the search.

§          Drink plenty of fluids the day before you set out, and drink slowly all the time rather than a lot at once. Your body purges water when you drink a lot all at once, but a little at a time over a long period of time will be put to more use.

§          Driving in the daytime takes far less concentration than driving at night; obviously, the two are as different as night and day. To make it easy on yourself, you want to use as much daylight as possible. You want to start driving around dawn, or maybe an hour earlier. Besides the practical value, you also get to watch the sun rise, which is not only rewarding visually but also psychologically.

§          By the time you’re out of Manila, you’ll discover that few restrooms have decent soap, paper towels or even a hand drier. It’s best to bring your own towel (even a face towel will do), and bring your own soap nestled in one of those little plastic boxes. If you wear glasses, it’s also nice to keep an extra handkerchief around so you can dry off the glasses properly after you wash them.

§          Try to avoid eating too much food. Large meals make one sleepy.

§          Break up the distance covered into short intervals. It prevents you from glancing constantly at the clock and getting restless. If you just get in the car and drive, knowing you want to go, say, 300 km that day, time is almost guaranteed to drag. But, if you divide the day into five 60-km hops, time will pass relatively quickly, since you can always tell you’re making progress. You should have driving subgoals as well as goals.

§          Take full advantage of rest stops, meals and refueling stops as an important opportunity for everyone in the car to use the restroom, stretch their legs and get a little exercise. Breaks in your drive will give everyone the opportunity to reenergize and press on. Whatever activities you decide to do in the car, make sure they don’t distract the driver from the road. You don’t want to risk an accident with your family in the car.

§          Encourage your children to take naps in the car by making small pillows and blankets available, along with certain activities (i.e., card games). Along with making the journey pass much faster for the kids, quiet time will give your driving partner ample time to rest up for his or her turn at the wheel.

Always remember that you are in the driver’s seat and you are the one in control. Never let the vehicle or the conditions control you.

THERE is extreme and there is creatively extreme, but it was like no other motoring event this writer had ever been to before. Last week’s Isuzu Alterra “Great Drive, Great Life” was one of those creatively extreme exercises which was more fun than hard and yet it tested physical endurance and mental agility as well.

LONG-distance driving is no easy matter. The problem is that many motorists seem to have some sort of iron-willed hang-up about driving long distances without a break.

Eyes on the Road: The Chinese (car) invasion has started

Conclusion

WE experienced Shanghai when the cold was beginning to subside and spring was in the air.

But for an ordinary Filipino who is used to hot and humid weather, the average three-degree centigrade temperature was too cold. What made it unbearable was the wind chill factor when you are standing in the middle of the road.

Full Tank: Penance, penitents, patience 

THE Season of Lent yearly produces heroes among our penitents.

You think only those who have their hands literally nailed to the cross can be considered serious and genuine penitents during the Holy Week?

AAP honors 2007 champions, bares plans for Auto Sport Academy

THE Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), the national automobile club and governing body for motorsports in the country, recently feted the national champions in various racing disciplines and shared its future plans during its 13th Annual Motorsports Awards night at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City.