Your Local Holiday Trip Checklist

SOUTH Africans are at last discovering that they don’t have to jet off to far off places to spend their holidays. There are destinations in their backyards that are just as good as any other in the world, and offer them all that they seek. But it’s interesting to note that it took soaring airfares and a one time weak rand to make them realize this.

While all this is excellent for out local tourism industry and the spin offs they offer to many rural communities, they do place a burden on our roads during the holidays as people move in their car-loads and bus-loads from one province to another in search of scenic beauty, dazzling nightlife and sea and sand.

It is in our interest to plan our holiday first before we turn on the car ignition to hit the road. Here’s a guide on what you should do for your safety and for the safety of those with you.

A vehicle breakdown can ruin your holiday. So as part of your pre-trip preparation ensure that your vehicle is in top condition. Although it is not possible to guard against all mechanical and electrical faults, doing this considerably reduces the chances of defects occurring.

It is always wise to plan the route in advance. Getting lost will lead to a waste of precious holiday time, frustration and anxiety. All this unnecessarily exposes you to dangers on the road. The best route is one that is the safest, most convenient and with plenty of opportunities for rest to ward off driving fatigue.

Long trips can easily cause driver fatigue ­ a major cause of accidents. Even if you close your eyes for just half a second it is enough to cause you to veer off the road.

Driver fatigue is a physical as well as mental condition. Often, you are not even aware that you are suffering from fatigue until it is too late. Be on guard for the following signs:

• Sweaty palms
• Heavy and sore eyes
• Blurred or dim vision
• Droning or humming in the ears
• Constant yawning
• General discomfort
• Deterioration of concentration and slow reactions
• Poor gear change
• Inconsistent speed
• Tendency to drift out of your lane
• Impatience and temper

If you experience any one of these symptoms, stop at a safe spot to rest.

Here are some of the things you can do to avoid or reduce driver fatigue

• Make sure that you rest well before you embark on your journey
• Avoid alcohol consumption the night before embarking on a journey
• Avoid driving when feeling sleepy
• Be comfortable. Adjust your seat and make sure your back is properly supported. Use a pillow if necessary
• Sit upright to maintain your spine in an erect position
• Get your blood circulation going to avoid stiffness. Revolve the wrists; rotate your head periodically to prevent stiff neck; move your left leg up and down while keeping your toes on the floorboard (the left leg gets more tired than the right as it is idle); draw imaginary circles with the toes of your left foot; and at every opportunity, take your right foot off the accelerator and draw imaginary circles with your toes. But do these things only when you think it is safe
• Take a break at least every two hours
• At each stop, get out of your car to stretch and exercise your limbs
• If there’s another driver, take turns driving
• Eat well-balanced meals but exercise restraint. A big meal can induce drowsiness
• Have water, wet face towels or mist sprays available so that you can refresh yourself when you need to do so
• Avoid driving for more than eight hours a day

Don’t force yourself to continue driving when drowsiness or fatigue sets in. This will only endanger your life and of those with you. Remember, you are on holiday. Don’t ruin it by taking uncalled for risks.

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