How To Drive Long Distances Safely Missouri

It's inevitable that we have to drive a long distance at some point in our lives and we would like to do so safely. Whether we are going on vacation or moving cross-country, getting the drive over with as quickly as possible is usually the objective. Before embarking on your next four-wheeled adventure, consider the following to help you stay alert and safe:

1. Plan in advance. Be sure to plan out your trip well ahead of time. Get yourself a quality road map and determine the best route to take. Study your route often and become familiar with the names of towns and route numbers. The more you familiarize yourself with the route, the less often you will need to refer to your map while driving. Also, determine where the major centers are along your route for gas, meal and bathroom breaks. Another thing to keep in mind is where you might need to stay for the night. Book hotels in advance if you can or you may find yourself in a town hosting an event that takes up every room for a 600-mile radius.
2. Avoid long weekends. Traveling during a holiday period is the worst time for traffic and the peak time for highway accidents. Avoid weekends and peak travel times as much as possible. Plan your trip to take place from Monday to Thursday. Friday and Sunday (or Monday) evenings will be the busiest times on the road.
3. Start your trip at night. Take the day of your trip to finish packing and running last minute errands and also try to squeeze in a little nap. Leave late in the evening when the traffic has settled down and then drive through the night. There is much less traffic on the highways and a lot less distraction. Night driving however is not for everyone. Not everyone is able to stay awake during those hours and you run the risk of falling asleep while driving.
   
   If you are not comfortable or able to drive at night, keep your driving times to daylight hours only. Also be aware that at night, the risk of animals on the highway and the inability to see them increases. Heavy truck traffic will also increase since truck drivers take advantage of the reduction in traffic at this time. Another drawback to night driving is facing a bright sunrise after staring into the dark all night - be prepared to pull over and sleep at this time....

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Author: John L. McKinley