If you intend to go on a very long road trip with friends, then you might plan to have one person do all of the driving. It might be that this person is the owner of the car you’ll be using and that they don’t trust anyone else behind the wheel. Or, it might be that they enjoy driving, or that they think they’re doing everyone a favour.
Whatever the reason, it’s worth considering sharing driving duties. Let’s take a look at why and how this might be advisable.
Why Sharing Driving Duties Matters
When you’re sharing the driving responsibilities, you’re sharing the burden, too. Long periods behind the wheel can be stressful, especially when you’re trying to find your way around unfamiliar, awkward parts of the world. You might also find that your concentration and reaction time begin to suffer as a result of long driving sessions, which can make things more dangerous for everyone with whom you share a car.
How to Organise Driving Rotations
So, what’s the best way to split the driving duties? You’ll need to form a plan, but keep it flexible enough that you can switch things up according to changing circumstances on the road. You might agree to start looking for a rest stop after an hour on the road and to stop within two. Or, you might simply set out ahead of time where you’re going to stop. This has another advantage: it will allow you to pick out the points of interest and the best places to stop and have a break. There are plenty of great options to choose from!
Covering Driver Safety
If you want to keep your trip legal, then everyone who drives the car will need to be appropriately insured. This might mean modifying existing policies, or it might mean taking out additional cover, temporarily. You can even allow learner drivers to have a go – but be aware that they won’t be allowed to drive on the motorway, unless you happen to be an approved instructor with a dual-control car. Learner driver insurance is widely available, and it’s an affordable means of squeezing valuable practice into your trip and getting used to the variety of roads that a driving career might serve up.
Basic Courtesy
If you’re going to be driving another person’s car, it’s vital that you don’t take any liberties. Doing so might cause tempers to fray before the end of your trip. Ask about the car and how to get the best from it, and ask whether the car’s owner minds before you start playing around with the infotainment system.
It’s also a good idea to support whoever is doing the driving, especially if you’re approaching a novel or significant part of the journey. Keep the chatter to a minimum at busy junctions, and don’t distract the driver when they need to concentrate. If it looks like someone is struggling behind the wheel, then it might be worth offering to end their stint prematurely!
