Expert warns 'heed two hour rule' when driving home for Christmas
Travelling during the festive period is often stressful, especially for people driving long distances. With the worry of bad weather and traffic delays, car owners are being warned to take extra care when travelling over the Christmas break.
To help motorists navigate the roads during the festive period, Tim Rodie, Motorpoint’s resident driving expert, has shared useful tips to make travelling as stress-free as possible this Christmas.
And he recommends a 'two hour rule' that will help to keep you safe on your journey. That is to switch drivers every two hours. And if that's not possible he recommends regular breaks to keep up your concentration.
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Rodie said: "When driving longer distances, it’s normal for motorists to become tired and restless after a few hours on the road, making it difficult to concentrate.
"'Driving fatigue’ can be impacted by several factors, such as time of day, stress and how long you have been behind the wheel. With up to 20 per cent of all crashes attributed to driver fatigue, it’s really important to make sure you’re planning regular breaks throughout your journey.
"If possible, it’s a good idea to split the driving when making long journeys, giving you time to rest. If it’s not possible to split the driving with another motorist, The Highway Code recommends taking a fifteen minute break every two hours to ensure that you're as refreshed as possible when driving."
He also suggested a tip for long journeys which is popular with professional drivers and will help minimise tension in your body and make the journey more comfortable.
He said: “If you’re taking on long motorway drives over Christmas, try lowering your hands on the steering wheel to help reduce shoulder tension. Typically, you should hold a wheel at the nine and three clock face positions but, when on a long, straight piece of motorway, try moving them down to around eight and four.
“This trick is popular with chauffeurs and will reduce the weight you carry through your shoulders – helping you stay comfortable on long drives. Just remember to return your hands to the nine and three positions when you leave the motorway.”
He also recommends being strategic about when you travel. Rodie said: "There’s nothing worse than being stuck in traffic. That’s why I’d always suggest being flexible about the time of day you travel to avoid the roads while they’re at their busiest.
"According to data from the RAC, roads will be busiest between 12pm to 2pm throughout the festive period, so drivers may want to avoid lunchtime journeys. Motorists wanting to avoid traffic, should travel before 11am or after 6pm on the days leading up to Christmas.
“No matter what day you’re planning to travel, I’d suggest trying to set off as early or as late as possible to avoid as much Christmas congestion as you can.”
Check ahead to see if there are any roadworks which would delay your journey. He added: "Before you set off, map out your route and check online for live reports of roadworks that could add extra time to help you find the most efficient route. With some forward planning, you might be able to easily adjust your route and avoid further delays.”
He also advised building in extra time saying: “We all tend to be working to tight timelines over the festive period so it’s worth building an extra 30 to 45 minutes into any long drives to act as a buffer.
“Whether it’s used to account for traffic, to pick up a last-minute gift or card, or just as a chance to stretch your legs, having some extra time can take the pressure off and make you feel much more relaxed.”
You can find out what cars Motorpoint would recommend for long distance driving, here.
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