BACKSEAT CHATTER (SAFETY TIPS FOR A LONG CAR TRIP)

Vehicle items to check before a long trip are listed: steering freeplay, battery, lights, horn, tires (wear and balance), shock absorbers, brake linings or disc pads, spark plugs and points, and exhaust system. Techniques for staying alert include never driving longer than three hours without a five-minute break for a cup of coffee or preferably a brisk walk; avoidance of medication, even aspirin, if possible, as well as alcohol; and selecting road features for conscious assessment (e.g. road surface, lines of telegraph poles, shoulder widths). Several fatigue-fighting physical exercises are outlined for the hands, head, neck, shoulders, and arms. Special hints are provided for the older driver with possibly diminished eyesight: find out if different eyeglasses are needed for day and night driving, never wear sunglasses or tinted lenses for night driving, avoid a completely tinted windshield, and try to maintain the traffic pace.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00357391
• Corporate Authors:

  South African Road Safety Council

  NRSC Building, Beatrix Street, Private Bag 147X
  Pretoria 0001,   South Africa 
• Authors:
  • Poole, M
• Publication Date: 1980-3

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 12-13
• Serial:
  • ROBOT
  • Issue Number: 109
  • Publisher: SNELCO-PRO PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANTS
  • ISSN: 0035-7391

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Alertness; Drivers; Eyeglasses; Inspection; Motor vehicles; Physiological fatigue; Roadside rest areas; Travel; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Trip
• Old TRIS Terms: Rest stops; Vehicular safety
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390532
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-029 988
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM