Before COVID-19 had started, people and their families have been going on holidays and trips to different cities and countries. Sometimes, spontaneously, we decide to pack a bag and drive off for the weekend to a beach or a cabin in the woods. It is always good to step back, take a breath of fresh air, and spend time with your family.
With all that is chaotic and crazy in this world, being able to go on a road trip to someplace quiet is a blessing. Looking back at all the wonderful memories and the amazing trips that we all have, we cannot escape the fact that we wish we could go back to those times when it was possible to be out and about with the people who matter the most.
To other people, being in a car for too long can make them feel sick, which I understand because I, too, do not like being in cars for too long. It makes me feel dizzy or nauseous, but what I found helpful is if the driver drives well or if they drive smoothly, I do not feel as sick or nauseous compared to when the driver is bad at what they are doing.
I have come to appreciate people who drive smoothly and efficiently. After many years of sitting in the passenger seat of my family’s car, I have experienced different drivers, and sometimes, I refuse to get into a car with someone who drives like my brother. He does his best to drive safely. Stopping at a red light, putting a seat belt on, and using his blinkers, he takes all the necessary precautions, but he tends to drive a little too fast because he likes the thrill of driving fast.
Driving when you are on the road for hours with your family with you can be exhausting. It can drain the life out of you, which is why I always make it a point to stay awake with the driver so that the driver does not fall asleep. This has happened to my brother and me before. We were on our way home, and I knew he was sleepy and feeling tired, we were swerving, and he was out of his lane for most of the time. It was a really scary time for me because you would never know what happens next.
So, I have a few tips for you that can maybe save you and your family’s lives. First things first, make sure that whoever is driving has been well-rested and has not been drinking. This is crucial because a drunk or a tired driver can get you into an accident, which potentially can also affect other people. According to a study conducted by the Sleep Foundation, 60% of Americans have gotten behind the wheel while drowsy, and one-third of people have fallen asleep. Being awake for eighteen hours is similar to having a blood-alcohol level of .05%, and being awake for 24 hours is like having a blood-alcohol level of .10%, according to the same study. So, make sure you are not sleepy or drunk.
Next, always make sure that there is someone else who can drive if ever the driver is too tired to go on. This ensures that no one is driving drowsy and that whoever is driving can rest if they need to. Another thing you can do is to drive alternately for a set period. Driver A can drive for 3 hours, and then Drive B can drive for the next few hours until you get to your destination.
Finally, do not be afraid to take a quick break from the road. You can park the car, and the family can go out, take a deep breath, and enjoy whatever view you have. This also helps you enjoy the moment. This helps in creating memories even before you guys get to where you are headed. Like my friends always say, it is never about the destination. It will always be about the journey. Sometimes, our best memories happen while we are headed to wherever it is, and sometimes, these memories are not caught on video, or we cannot take a picture of it. The best times will always be those times when we are enjoying the moment.
As my farewell, I remind you of all those tips I gave you. Make sure to be safe and to have fun. Make new memories with your family because you will never know what tomorrow or a minute later brings. When all of this is over, you deserve that road trip, but you need to be careful — even in the high-speed world of racing, for example, there’s race car safety. Remember, you are not only doing this for yourself but also your family and other people on the road. Drive safe.