An enjoyable and stress-free road trip begins with these simple steps

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May 23, 2018

We all want our road trips to be fun and relaxing. A nice stress-free drive that allows us to soak up the sights and share the moment with family and loved ones is just the ticket. But alas, we don’t live in a perfect world. And there are factors that can ruin the fun such as road hazards, an accicent along the way, or a driver who doesn’t give a hoot about road safety.

Fortunately, we can take steps to try and avoid such spoilers. For instance, you might want to plan ahead. This means familiarizing yourself with the route. With technology at your disposal, it’s easy to do this nowadays. Planning also means plotting rest stops at least every two hours just to freshen up. And it wouldn’t be a bad idea to travel at a time when you feel most alert. While traveling at night could save you time avoiding traffic, it can likewise make you fall asleep at the wheel.

As for those pit stops, these may be a good time not only to fill up your car’s tank but to hydrate yourself as well. Staying well hydrated keeps you alert, especially when loading up on caffeinated drinks. Studies show that homemade caffeine beverages such as water and lemon can increase alertness levels by up to 63 percent. And those short breaks can likewise be used to take a quick nap. This is especially useful if you find yourself drifting off at the tiller. A power nap will defintely do wonders and help you avoid accidents.

Once you’re back on the road, always remember tto just relax and enjoy the drive. The correct driving position, with your back at a 75-80 degree angle and your hands at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions of the steering wheel will help reduce fatigue. It would also be a good idea to set yourself at an arm’s length away from the wheel, with your arms slightly bent. This way, you can relax while still have enough room to react in critical situations.

And if you’re driving a Volvo, you can have total peace of mind, knowing that you have the latest in safety techolgy backing you up. Moreover, Volvo’s renowned seat design and control layout ensures comfort and lessens driver distractions and fatigue. It’s all designed to be centered around the driver.

And this is what a good road trip should be—one that lets you and your loved ones enjoy the ride and get to your destination refreshed and ready for a new adventure.

About the Author

Mr. Gerard Jude Castillo
Gerard has been a self-confessed car nut ever since he was a little boy. As a grown-up, he indulges in his passion by collecting toy cars (which he started since childhood) and reading up on the latest cars out there.  As Associate Editor, he will ensure that you get your fill of the latest cars in the market, as well as a load of automotive features.