If you’ve ever almost succumbed to road hypnosis, you know what a frightening thing it is. Long distance road riders understand that driving sleepy can be as deadly as driving under the influence. Sometimes, a roadside siesta is exactly what you need.
First, find a safe place to snooze
Finding a secure place catch a few winks can be a challenge. Travel Dudes magazine reminds readers that pulling over just anywhere is rarely a good idea. You could get towed or worse. Instead, look for a sizable shopping mall with an anchor store such as Target or Walmart. Unless there are clearly posted signs disallowing overnight parking, you can probably enjoy an undisturbed night’s sleep in your car there. The same applies to church and synagogue parking lots. Be careful about sleeping overnight in a church parking lot the night before a service, however. Doing so could lead to an abrupt, early morning wake up.
Whatever you do, don’t park for a nap on the side of a rural highway. It’s a dangerous thing to do and generally illegal, as well. Instead, drive to a truck stop and park there for a nap. If you’re feeling grungy, most major stops sell a by-the-minute hot shower that can leave you feeling refreshed and ready to further your adventures on the road.
Roadside nap comfort
Privacy (or at least the illusion of such) and ventilation are must-haves for roadside snoozers. Put a folding shade in the front window and roll towels up in the front windows. Wear an eye mask to increase feelings of privacy. Pop the sunroof for ventilation so you don’t wake up sweaty and uncomfortable.
Accoutrement of roadside naps
The snooze experts over at Sleep magazine made a top 5 list of the best gear a road tripper can take along to catch a few zzz while traveling. You might list them in a different order, but we’ve got to agree that it’s a great list of gadgets.
An eye mask not only shields your eyes from nap-wrecking headlights and harsh sun rays, an eye mask also lends a bit of Hollywood glamour to any roadside snooze. Available in silk, satin and other comfy fabrics, shades may come with molded cups that don’t press against eyelids. A comfortable travel pillow is another must-have for road nappers. Find the best at a highway truck stop or order a travel pillow from a trucker supply website. A warm blanket made of natural fiber is just right for catching a few winks on the side of the road in your car. Polyester and synthetic fabrics are not recommended for on-the-road snoozing, because they tend to make sleepers sweat.
The final two items on the Sleep top 5 list are lavender hand lotion and noise-limiting ear plugs. We’d also add a car charger, a smartphone and the Alarm Clock for Me app from Apalon. Program it to lull you to sleep with soft music and wake you up after you’ve caught a few good roadside winks. Learn more about this handy road trip gadget and download it for free at Google Play.
If you’re feeling sleepy while driving, don’t force yourself to stay awake. Find a safe place to pull off the road and catch forty winks.
Matthew Connor likes to travel, road trips especially are his favorite way of seeing new places. His travel and other articles appear online at various homes on the web!
from Motorlogy http://www.motorlogy.com/too-tired-to-drive-smart-and-safe-tips-for-sleeping-in-your-car-4244/
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment