Traffic jams during the Christmas and New Year holidays often make you tired, here are 8 tips for dealing with fatigue so you can stay focused

foto: pexels.com/Tobi & Norma Mortenson

Overcoming fatigue while driving is very important to ensure travel safety.

Brilio.net - Going home during the Christmas and New Year holidays (Nataru) is always synonymous with long traffic jams on various roads. A trip that should have been completed in a short time can take hours due to the density of vehicles. This situation often makes drivers experience physical and mental fatigue while driving.

Fatigue while driving is one of the main causes of traffic accidents during the homecoming and holiday season. Tired drivers tend to lose concentration so that they are slow to the situation on the road. It is known, ahead of the 2024/2025 Nataru holiday, the National Police Traffic Corps revealed that there were three points of driving fatigue during Nataru, namely in Batang-Semarang, Solo-Ngawi and Ngawi-Surabaya.

Overcoming fatigue while driving is very important to ensure safe travel. These simple tips can help you stay fit and focused even when stuck in long traffic jams. Here are eight tips for overcoming fatigue while driving, adapted by brilio.net from various sources, Tuesday (12/24).

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Taking a break every 2 hours of driving is very important to prevent excessive fatigue. A minimum of 15-20 minutes of rest for every 2 hours of driving. Take advantage of safe rest areas to stretch, go to the toilet, or just enjoy a light snack. Regular breaks also help maintain a prime mental condition while reducing the risk of microsleep (sleeping for a moment) while driving.

Eating the right food while driving long distances greatly affects the driver's fatigue level. Avoid heavy or oily foods that can make you sleepy, choose snacks that are rich in protein and low in sugar.

Make sure your body stays hydrated by drinking water regularly, but not too much because it can make you want to go to the toilet often. Prepare healthy food supplies and nutritious snacks such as nuts or fresh fruit to keep your energy stable.

Temperatures inside the car that are too hot or cold can accelerate the onset of fatigue. Set the car's AC temperature in the range of 21-24 degrees Celsius which is the ideal temperature for driving.

Make sure the air circulation in the car is good by occasionally opening the windows to let in fresh air. The right temperature helps maintain freshness and optimal driver concentration.

photo: pexels.com/Andrea Piacquadio

Listening to your favorite music or podcast can help relieve boredom and keep you alert while driving. Choose songs with a moderate beat that are neither too calming nor too upbeat.

Prepare a varied playlist that is long enough to accompany the trip. Listening to informative podcasts or radio shows can also make the trip feel faster and more enjoyable.

Sitting too long while driving can cause muscle tension as well as physical fatigue. Take advantage of every opportunity to stop to do some light stretching, especially in the neck, shoulders, back, and legs.

Simple movements such as turning your head, shrugging your shoulders, and even walking around the car can help improve blood circulation. Stretching also helps reduce the risk of muscle cramps and back pain during the trip.

Physical preparation before a long journey is very important to prevent fatigue. Try to sleep at least 7-8 hours the night before starting a long journey. Avoid tiring activities or staying up late before the day of departure. A fit and fresh physical condition at the beginning of the journey will greatly affect the body's endurance while driving.

photo: pexels.com/Andrea Piacquadio

If possible, share driving duties with another passenger who has a license or is able to drive. Driver changes should be made every 4 hours or when you start to feel tired.

Off-duty drivers can rest or sleep so they are more prepared when their turn comes. This rotation system is very effective for long-distance trips that take more than 6 hours.

Learning to recognize the signs of fatigue in yourself is essential for safe driving. Look for symptoms such as frequent yawning, heavy eyes, difficulty concentrating, and not remembering the last few kilometers traveled.

Do not force yourself to continue the journey if you already feel these signs. Immediately find a safe place to rest or if necessary stay overnight until your physical condition recovers.

(brl/mal)