Driving Tips and Rules

Driving Tips and Rules

1. Plan your stops in advance Planning ahead increases productivity and results. You experience little or no stress and become more efficient. When you are able to carry out your plan, you are productive.
2. Prepare your car If you can’t avoid breakdowns during your trip, you can try to prevent them by making sure your car is ready. This means topping up the wiper fluid, checking the oil level, inflating the tires and anything else you may have been putting off.
3. Download playlists You can also get creative and create your own playlist for your trip. That way, you’ll be sure to love all the songs you listen to. I consider this another necessity for road trips, as there are probably places you’re heading to that don’t have a network to connect to the radio.
4. Know where the gas stations are When you’re driving through big cities, you’ll have no trouble finding service stations. Once you’re on the road, gasoline options will be scarce. It was particularly important to know where the gas stations were, as they were scarce. 
5. Go with the flow Often, when you’re planning a road trip, the journey doesn’t go entirely according to plan. For example, if you’re taking a long road trip, you can’t expect to keep to the schedule every day. There will be traffic or closed roads that you have to take. Try not to stress yourself and see it as a way to explore an area you’ve never seen before.
6. Know where your manual and insurance are You also need to know where your car manual is, whether you’re renting a car or using your own. This will help you find the problem you’re having quickly. You also need to know where your car insurance is in the event of an accident.
7. Have a checklist Write down everything you need to do or pack. You can then check off each task as it is completed to help you plan a road trip.

 

The Highway Code: 21 rules of the road 

No two road trips are alike – except that they all involve long distances, rushed meals and groups of tired, bored and grumpy humans sharing the same cramped quarters for hours on end. To keep everyone happy, peaceful and safe, we recommend that all road trips be subject to the same rules, which we present here, in no particular order.

1. First and foremost, everyone must go to the toilet before the vehicle sets off.
2. The driver chooses the music: Whoever is at the wheel also has control of the stereo, unless he decides to entrust this power to someone else. However, he or she reserves the right to take it back at any time. If a radio station plays at least two consecutive songs by Styx, Warrant or Limp Bizkit, an obscure maritime law stipulates that the person controlling the radio at that moment must travel in the trunk to the next gas station.
3. At all times, the co-pilot – that is, the person in the back seat – must remain awake and available to give instructions, adjust the music as ordered, feed the driver French fries and continually assure him that his former love interest is, in fact, a big loser. Back-seat passengers are free to sleep, on the understanding that once asleep, their skin is considered a blank canvas on which budding tattoo artists can “work their magic”, while vigilant passengers hack into the sleeper’s cell phone to send fake text messages to their significant other.
4. All refueling stops should be as efficient as possible. Avoid service stations without minimarkers and those not visible from the freeway. If a member of the entourage keeps the group waiting for more than five minutes, the driver should move the car behind the station, giving the latecomer the impression that he has been left behind.
5. To be precise,”gas stops” are: fuel, windshield, restroom, snacks. Everyone participates, unless they’re sleeping.
6. Whenever possible, restaurants should also be within sight of the exit, and meals should be eaten quickly, with the emphasis on getting back on the road and “having a good time”.
7. That said, if time permits, never waste a meal at a chain restaurant. Find out where the locals eat and go there.
8. Acceptable snacks don’t smell bad, aren’t messy and don’t require napkins. This reduces your options to almost nothing, which is a good thing because there’s no acceptable food on the road – all food is disgusting when eaten in close proximity to other people.
9. But always keep extra towels in the glove compartment, just in case. Baby wipes, too.
10. Never trust a motel that costs less than $75. In fact, be skeptical of anything that costs less than$100.
11. When passing a speed trap, it’s a good idea to flash your headlights to warn oncoming cars of what’s ahead.
12. But if you do get pulled over, be polite and hand over your documents. It’s shameful to complain or cry, even to earn license points.
13. Don’t stay in the left-hand lane unless you’re overtaking or going faster than the rest of the traffic. Don’t speed up when someone tries to overtake you. Admit defeat and move on.
14. Personal cars and rental cars are very different animals. The former should be treated as an extension of the owner’s home; the latter, well… it’s a rental.
15. There’s no hard and fast rule for how long is too long for a person to drive. In general, it’s up to the driver to decide when it’s time to hand over the reins. But some men are stubborn. Here’s something to keep in mind: By law, professional truckers can only drive 11 out of 14 hours, and must rest at least half an hour in between. You’re not a professional trucker. Stop and change drivers at the first sign of drowsiness.
16. Restrooms at rest stops are almost always nicer than those at service stations, so if you have a choice, go for the former. Old pros will note, however, that nothing beats the freshness, cleanliness and comfort of a public library or museum restroom – without wifi either! 
17. Empty two-liter bottles can only be used as mobile toilets in an emergency. The risk-benefit calculation for regular use is not favorable. A single spill can spoil the whole rest of the trip.
18. Resist the urge to gesticulate at other drivers, no matter what they’re doing. You never know what might set someone off.
19. Similarly, the horn should only be used as a warning device, not as an alternative form of self-expression.
20. Time always passes more slowly on flat, straight sections of road. It’s a question of science. Try to plan your driving periods and naps accordingly; for example, a good time for passengers to nap is the section between Pennsylvania and Colorado.
21. No alcohol for anyone, even in states where passengers are allowed to drink. It’s not fair on the driver, you never know when you’ll have to take a shift, and drunk people are incredibly annoying.