Combatting Fatigue and Staying Safe While Driving at Night

Long road trips can be extremely tiring, we hear that. However, we’re firm believers that the destination is usually worth the journey. So, let’s buckle up and fight your fatigue with these tips.

Eliminate stress

Leading up to your big trip, try to eliminate stress however you can. Whether this means checking off several things each day the week prior to your departure or making checklists galore, do what’s right for you. Your morning-of-the-trip-self will FOR SURE thank you.

Catch some Z’s

This one seems obvious, but it’s SO important. Not only do you want to make sure you’re rested the night before your trip, but you should also make sure to get quality sleep and rest well ahead of your departure.

Don’t forget snacks

This one is important for several reasons. One, healthy snacks provide you with sustainable energy that could last for a couple of hours. Two, snacks like popcorn or sunflower seeds can occupy your time without distracting you from the road. Grab a couple must-have accessories to stick to healthy eating on the road.

Stay hydrated

An extremely wise person once said, “Hydrate or die-drate”. Okay, we’re not actually sure who said that, but it’s catchy and will hopefully help you remember to drink water on the road. While you don’t want to overdo it and have to stop for potty breaks every 15 minutes, drinking water can help keep you alert.

Take active breaks

Active breaks are a sure way to give you a jolt of energy without the crash that comes from caffeine or sugar. Find a local park on your route where you can stop and run a couple of laps or jump rope for 10 minutes. Your body will be grateful for the exercise and your reward is not only the added energy, but you’ll feel extra good for getting a quick workout in.   

Of course, sometimes you cannot help but get tired on the road. If this does happen to you, make sure you listen to your body and take breaks. Find a safe place to rest when necessary and avoid pushing your limits. Also, remember that everyone is different, and these tips are just suggestions to keep you alert and safe on the road.

Tips to prevent car accidents at night

A shocking statistic reported by the National Safety Council says that although only a quarter of our total driving is done at night, that is when 50% of traffic deaths occur. Let’s cover some more safety tips for driving at night that can also make you feel fatigued.

Lights, Camera, Action 

Headlights are obviously a crucial part of nighttime driving. While this might seem obvious, keeping your lights in the best condition and on the right setting will make a world of difference. Make sure your lights are not aimed too low or too high. This could cause you to lose sight more than 25 feet in front of you or strain oncoming drivers’ eyes. While high beam lights AKA “brights” can be especially helpful in rural areas, make sure to switch them down to normal headlights when you are within 500 feet of oncoming traffic. We’ve all been the driver who was blinded when someone else left their brights on – not cool!

Windshield

A smudged or dirty windshield can throw untimely glares into your eyes when other cars pass. Clean it. While you’re at it, if you want to clean your whole car, we have some tricks to clean your car and clear your mind, including how to take care of your windshield.

Unexpected Wildlife

Dangerous animals always seem to pop out of the woods at night. They are usually as startled by your car as you are seeing them freeze in the center of your lane. Deer can do some serious damage to a car, so make sure to avoid wildlife on the road when possible.

Avoid Fatigue

We talked about this earlier, but it bears worth repeating. Get a good night’s rest. It’s common knowledge that adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. While this isn’t always possible, it’s good to rest up if you know you’ll be driving late at night! If you enjoy coffee, soda, or tea, caffeine can give you an extra energy boost. These drinks can help ensure you make it to your destination safely. And of course, sometimes the best option is pulling over to get some sleep before continuing your trip. You can have a little fun with this pit stop by camping in your car.

Drive with Caution

All these other tips were about your needs, your vehicle, or your surroundings. Now it’s time to focus on one more very crucial element, your driving! It’s important to be a defensive driver (bonus: you may even earn a discount on your policy). Especially at night, always be wary of others on the road who could be fatigued or have been drinking. 

We covered a lot, so let’s recap:

• Remember to be prepared to avoid any on-the-road trouble.
• Keep our driving tips in mind to ensure safe driving for driving at night, especially when fatigued.
• Have fun and enjoy your destination!