March 11, 2017
Planning a car journey. Some pieces of advice to avoid problems
Posted
These days it is very possible that you have to face a long car journey. Either alone or with your family, you may have to drive a long distance to pass you holidays or visit family or friends. In this case, you should prepare it in advance, and plan all the aspects of the project.
1) Your luggage and documents
2) Your electronic devices
3) The car maintenance, legal aspects, (insurance, taxes, etc.)
4) Car items as warning triangle, spare bulbs, reflecting jackets, etc.
5) Itinerary. You must choose the route, the places where to stop and the best food plan for you (and your family)
We are going to develop this last point, due to obvious reasons.
Important points:
a) You must start being fresh, rested and free of care. The best time is in the morning. Nevertheless, if you’re a night driver, you must sleep a couple of hours during the afternoon. Before the start, you should have a generous breakfast including a couple of eggs, coffee or tea and cereals or traditional bread.
b) It is better to take with you your own food. You never know what you may find at the road restaurants or how long you will have to wait to be served. Plan to eat many times and small portions. Take fruit with you, plenty of water, prepared coffee or better, tea, and light snacks (e.g. chicken and salad, without salad cream or mayonnaise. You can have ham, not too salty, and salad, etc. Use a few drops of virgin olive oil as dressing). Avoid sweets.
c) Energy drinks may affect your reflexes. It is better tea or light coffee. Drink frequently, mainly water.
d) Stop every 150 miles at least 15 minutes. Walk, eat something, drink, go to the toilet and breathe profoundly. The art of breathing is something that you should develop.
e) In case you want to drink between stops, do not do it as you drive. It may be dangerous. Stop for a while. If you are accompanied and can share the wheel, do it!
f) Of course, do not smoke while driving. DO NOT SMOKE EVER!