By Caroline Holmes, IAM
BUSINESS car drivers, especially those on the sales side of any SME firm, spend much of their life driving between appointments. Which means driving on motorways.
And we all know that driving on motorways, even in a nicely specced business car, can be sleep-inducingly dull, especially when you add the hypnotic effect of miles of identical roads, pouring rain and windscreen wipers.
Are you still with me? Not nodded off just at the thought?
Good fuel-saving advice is to set the cruise control to 70 and let the car get on with the rest, because that is the most efficient way to conserve fuel – rather than relying on your right foot.
Unfortunately, for many company car drivers cruise control equals the same effect as hitting the snooze button.
At 70mph you travel 30 metres every second. You might not think you’ll fall asleep at the wheel, but you might not even realise you have. Plan your journey so you include a break every two hours, and take the breaks whether or not you think they are necessary.
If you start feeling tired take a break; don’t worry about where you’re going to, it’s better late than never.
If you drink coffee then stop and have a cup. It will give you a lift but not immediately – about 20 minutes before it has an effect, so have your drink and settle down for a nap. If you sleep for any longer than 20 minutes, your sleep will be deeper and harder to wake from.
Carry a bottle of water to keep you hydrated on the journey, as well as snacks. But make sure you’ve pulled over in a safe place to have your food or drink.
If you’ve got the time consider taking a different route to your normal business road map to keep you alert. It might take longer but you’ll see more of the countryside, and may even miss major motorway delays. Set your satnav to avoid motorways, but check that you know your route on a map too, in case the technology fails.
If you are travelling with a business colleague, share the driving – although make sure they are insured to do so of course on the company car policy!
This is especially important over longer distances, and does mean you can make better progress as one of you can rest or map read, while the driver concentrates on the road.
We’re all into saving costs, and there’s no getting away from it, motorway service areas are expensive. But if you can plan your stops it doesn’t mean you have to shop there. Take your meals with you or try a little off-motorway driving. Hugh Cantlie’s excellent book Near the Motorways lists great affordable alternatives to service stations all within five minutes of the motorway. You’ll also break the motorway monotony and follow best company car advice.
And stay fresh for that important business meeting.
