How to avoid car sickness

0

Car sickness is a common problem for many of us. If you’re prone to feeling unwell in a car, even the thought of a long car journey can make your stomach turn.

According to the RAC, one in five people experience symptoms of car sickness, and it’s even more common in children. So it’s something most people have either experienced themselves or had to clean up at one time or another.

Once car sickness sets in, it can be really difficult to recover properly. As with most things, prevention is better than cure – so follow these tips from the start of your journey rather than after you already start to feel ill, as by then it may be too late to prevent your breakfast coming back up again.

One of the key factors in any form of motion sickness – whether it’s in a car, boat or even playing a video game – is a difference between what your eyes and ears are each telling your brain. Most of these tips are ways to try and get your eyes and ears in sync again, which will help to calm the signals being sent from your brain to your stomach.

If you’re one of those who are susceptible to car sickness, or have kids who seem to suffer it a lot, fret no longer. There are some things you can do to help, although it affects everyone differently and therefore the solutions that work best for you may be different too.

We’ve put together this list of tips for keeping a queasy stomach under control on a road trip. Follow them right from the start and you’ll have a much better chance of a happy journey.

Pick the right seat

Passenger in the front seat to avoid car sickness
Most people find sitting in the front is better than the back for avoiding car sickness (PA)

One way to avoid car sickness before even setting off can simply come down to picking the right seat. Minimising perceived motion can be very effective in countering symptoms, and there’s no better place to do that than in the front.

Sitting in the back of a car and staring at a stationary seat in front can trick your brain to think you’re not moving, but the sound and balance signals from your ears will cause confusion in your brain — resulting in the feeling of sickness. Sitting in the middle seat if you must be in the back can help counter this, too.

If you have a car full of people on a long trip, try to rotate everyone’s seating position during the journey so each passenger gets some time up front.

Eyes ahead on a fixed point

Passengers should keep their eyes on the horizon or the road ahead to minimise car sickness
Passengers should keep their eyes on the horizon or the road ahead to minimise car sickness (PA)

This is aimed more at passengers than drivers but looking outside the car on a fixed point is another easy way to help counter the effects of motion sickness.

Looking at passing objects or cars travelling the other way will enhance the effects — so instead, look to fix your eyes on one constant thing, like the road ahead as it stretches out to the horizon.

If you’re helping children, direct their attention to major scenery points ahead in the distance rather than those right by the roadside that will flash past rapidly. In other words, count windmills from wind farms up ahead rather than cows in the paddock alongside.

Fresh air and good ventilation

Open a car window to prevent car sickness
Fresh air can be a big help to prevent both car sickness and drowsiness (PA)

Just like any kind of sickness, breathing fresh air will do wonders to help. Open a window to let it circulate around the car, and have the air conditioning on to keep the cabin well-ventilated and well-cooled. If you have a sunroof, popping that open can help to circulate air as well.

If you’re opening a rear window, you’ll probably need to open at least one front window as well to prevent the annoying buffeting that is likely to result.

Close your eyes and take deep breaths

Sometimes, it’s easier to just pretend you’re not travelling. Closing your eyes can shut off the visual cues of motion that can freak your brain out while focusing on your breathing will distract your mind from everything else.

This tip tends to get mixed results and may not be that useful once you’re already starting to feel nauseous. It’s definitely best to try in the early stages, when you’re not feeling quite right but your stomach is still relatively calm.

Obviously, this tip is only aimed at passengers. We don’t generally recommend that drivers closer their eyes while behind the wheel…

Distract yourself

Music can help prevent car sickness
Music can be helpful, too (PA)

Similar to our previous tip of closing your eyes, distracting yourself by other means can help with reducing the symptoms of car sickness. Chatting to other people in the car or listening to some talk radio (or an audiobook) can help.

Some people find listening to music through earphones can be a particular benefit, rather than through the car stereo as you normally would. As well as the distraction element of having songs to concentrate your mind on, earphones can help to block out some of the external signals to the ears that contribute to motion sickness. It’s definitely worth a try.

For kids, a game like “I Spy” can also help distract their attention away from their discomfort.

Think about your food choices

If you’re prone to car sickness, eating a heavy meal or drinking alcohol before getting into the passenger’s seat, or even while there, could heighten your discomfort.

Eat and drink well in advance of your journey, and pack light snacks for the trip if you’re in need of something to eat.

Put the book or phone down

Stop reading to help manage car sickness symptoms
Stop reading to help manage car sickness symptoms (PA)

While distracting yourself can help with motion sickness, some ‘distractions’ will only serve to make it worse. As mentioned before, fixing on a static object in the car can mess with your senses — and as a result, reading a book or playing on your phone or tablet while on the move can only worsen things.

Take a break

A lot of these tips will help delay the onset of car sickness, but once it takes hold it can be very difficult to recover. In this situation, the best cure is usually to be stationary and out of the car altogether.

On longer journeys, taking frequent breaks can minimise the chances of symptoms worsening — and also gives you a chance to take in some fresh air.

Use this chance to grab a drink or a light bite to eat, too. Stretch your legs with a quick walk and let the kids run around for 10-15 minutes to get the circulation going again.

Seek medical advice for your car sickness

No matter how hard some try, car sickness just won’t go away. In this case, it’s worth speaking to your doctor or pharmacist, who may prescribe you with appropriate medication to ease the symptoms.

This can affect you more as you get older, and you may find that your tolerance for car journeys decreases over time. As with many other balance-related issues, the ears are key to avoiding or suffering from car sickness, and this is something that becomes more of an issue as we age.

Summary

As we said at the top of this article, prevention is always better than cure. Actively managing your behaviour (or your kids’ behaviour) on a car trip can help to prevent the onset of car sickness, or at least help control your queasiness.

Once your stomach starts trying to turn itself upside-down, there’s no easy way out and you’re pretty much consigned to a miserable spell by the roadside. So plan ahead and everyone will enjoy the journey a whole lot more.

This article was first published in November 2018. Most recently updated November 2019.

Could more electric cars lead to an 80mph motorway speed limit?

The speed limit on some motorways and dual carriageways could be raised to 80mph as more motorists buy electric vehicles.

The suggestion was made by transport secretary Grant Shapps at the Conservative Party conference, as he also suggested limits could also be lowered to 20mph outside schools for safety reasons.

Shapps said that the suggestion of raising speed limits on the motorways was previously put forward in 2011, but was scrapped as it was warned the higher speeds could generate an extra 2.2 million tonnes of CO2 each year.

However, with the popularity of electric vehicles constantly increasing, the proposal could be reconsidered.

Speaking at a transport debate in Manchester, Mr Shapps said: “On 80mph motorway speed limits: I’ve been thinking about this issue and maybe even sought advice on the subject of late. I think there is an argument for looking at our speed limits, both in terms of higher speed limits and actually lower limits – 20mph outside of schools.

“When it was last looked at in 2011, reviewing the last submission to ministers on the subject, it was thought the carbon emission addition would be too great.

“But since I am a driver of an electric car myself, I got to thinking about whether that would still be the case. I think there is an argument that once you have increased the level of electrification and therefore decreased or entirely removed carbon, that you might look at those things again.”

Last year, Highways England boss Jim O’Sullivan said that certain sections of the road network were ready for higher limits, but it was only ‘public opinion’ that was stopping the change.

The Alliance of British Drivers shares the sentiment, calling the 70mph limit ‘outdated and discredited’, arguing that statistics show there are ‘virtually no sober, responsible drivers involved in road traffic accidents where their speed is the primary definite causation factor’.

However, Nicholas Lyes, head of policy at the RAC motoring organisation, said that although the transport secretary made a good point about emissions, he called for ‘compelling evidence’ that increasing the limit would not impact safety.

He said: “Any move to raise speed limits on motorways to 80mph is fundamentally an issue of safety. Part of the problem is that at present, there is a high proportion of drivers that break the 70mph limit and drive nearer to 80mph. If the speed limit were to be changed to 80mph, there is a risk that the new default becomes even higher.

“Our motorways are currently the safest roads on the entire network, and we wouldn’t want to see anything happen that changes this. So, unless there is compelling evidence that a change in the limit on some stretches of road would not adversely affect safety, the current limit should be retained.”

Most common reason for failing the new driving test revealed

0

New data has revealed the most common reasons for failing the new driving test.

First introduced in December 2017, the new test incorporated four changes. The independent driving section was increased from 10 to 20 minutes, and following sat-nav directions was also added.

Reversing manoeuvres were changed to exclude ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’, while candidates were also asked to answer two safety questions while out driving.

But it’s been revealed that the most common major fault – which means the driver has endangered themselves, the public or property and results in an instant fail – was a failure to observe properly at a junction.

In eight areas, including the Outer Hebrides, Hemel Hempstead and Motherwell, this caused over 40% of learners to fail their driving test.

This was followed by a failure to check mirrors when changing direction and improperly turning right at a junction.

Tom Preston, managing director of Hippo Leasing who compiled the data following a Freedom of Information request: “At the end of 2017, the DVSA introduced changes to the practical driving test to increase driver safety and the quality of training in light of the troubling statistic that road collisions remain the biggest killer of young people in the UK.

“Driving test faults reflect the factors which cause the most accidents on the road. Observation is the most common factor, according to the DfT, so while over 167,000 learners failed their practical test last year for this very reason, it’s important candidates learn from their mistakes to keep themselves and others safe once they’re qualified to drive.”

New road sign launched to help protect small mammals

0

A new road sign is being introduced across the UK to warn drivers of small animals on the road.

The sign, depicting a hedgehog, isn’t just to warn motorists of the presence of the prickly animals alone but aims to highlight all manner of small wild mammals that could be on the road.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: “We have some of the safest roads in the world but we are always looking at how we can make them safer.

“The new small mammal warning sign should help to reduce the number of people killed and injured, as well as helping our precious small wild mammal population to flourish.”

Wildlife numbers have been in steady decline for many years now, with the number of hedgehogs in rural areas already halved since 2000.

It joins other signs that warn drivers about small animals such as toads and wildfowl, as well as larger animals like deer and livestock.

Jill Nelson, chief executive of the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, said: “We welcome this focus on road safety and protection for all small mammals.”

The signs will be in areas where there are large concentrations of smaller animals, warning drivers of the presence of squirrels, badgers, otters and – of course – hedgehogs.

Motorway red ‘X’ signs now being enforced by cameras

0

Drivers now face an automatic penalty by camera if they ignore red ‘X’ signs for closed lanes on smart motorways.

New legislation from the Home Office was brought in last week that lets Highways England use cameras on overhead gantries to automatically issue fixed penalty notices to motorists who ignore the signs and drive in the lanes, endangering themselves and others.

Offending drivers will have three points slapped on their licence and be fined up to £100.

Previously, they were only issued with a fixed penalty notice for ignoring a red ‘X’ sign if a police officer caught them in the act.

In March, an RAC survey of more than 2,000 motorists who had driven on a motorway in the past year found that more than a fifth of them had driven deliberately or by accident in a lane closed by a red ‘X’ sign. At the time, RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “Smart motorways are now very much part of the fabric of England’s motorway network and will become even more commonplace in years to come with more being opened all the time.

“Red ‘X’ signs, which denote when lanes are closed, are paramount in safety terms, as any stricken driver who has not managed to reach an SOS area is at tremendous risk of being involved in a collision with vehicles that ignore them.”

Drink-driving remains a problem that needs stamping out

0
The number of drink-drive fatalities in the UK may have reached its highest level since 2009, according to a new report published today. However, the overall impact of drink-drive accidents continues to decline. The Department for Transport has published its provisional estimates for 2017, based on 28% of coroners’ and procurators’ reports on road accidents where at least one driver (not necessary the driver at fault) was over the blood alcohol limit.
You may also like:

The provisional figures give an estimated range of between 240 and 330 people being killed in drink-drive accidents on Britain’s roads in 2017. The final figure for 2017 is expected to be published in August, which will be based on about 60-70% of all accidents (toxicology data is never available for all drivers/riders) and will narrow this down to an exact number. The DfT is careful to point out that this increase is “not statistically significant” because it still falls within the expected range for annual fatalities, so the increase in numbers doesn’t necessarily mean that there are more people in the UK choosing to drink and drive. Inevitably, there are other factors (weather conditions, etc) that can affect the numbers, and there is always the element of chance that can push numbers up or down each year. In addition, the number of cars on the roads is increasing each year. If the final figure ends up at the mid-point of the estimated range, which would be 290 fatalities, it will be the highest figure since 2009.
Drink-drive fatalities in GB, 2009-2017
How the 2017 predicted results compare to previous years (PA Graphics)

Results show no great behavioural shifts in the last 30 years

If we look at the percentage of all road fatalities that involve drink-driving (again, not necessarily the driver at fault), then it makes up about 16% of all road deaths. Again, this is up over the previous two years but still within the expected range. The prevalence of drink-driving in road deaths has averaged around 15% since the late 1980s, with up to 4% variation either way. An estimated 8,660 people were killed or injured in drink-drive crashes, down 4% on the previous year. This still represents about 5% of all road accident casualties, which is pretty much the average figure for the last 30 years.

Lack of improvement is disappointing

Inevitably, any increase in the number of fatalities in drink-drive accidents will trigger strident responses from road safety groups, even though the data falls within expected ranges. We would all like to see the number of people killed or injured as a result of drink-driving reduce, but the data shows that things have been fairly consistent for a long time. Interestingly, research published by the University of Glasgow before Christmas found that the reduced drink-drive limits in Scotland do not appear to have resulted in any reduction in drink-driving accidents or the numbers killed or injured in drink-drive accidents. However, it does appear to have led to a small reduction in overall alcohol consumption from trade venues. Scotland reduced its blood alcohol limit for all drivers from 80mg of alcohol per 100mL of blood to 50mg per 100mL back in 2014. England and Wales remain at 80mg/100mL, which is one of the highest limits in the world and quite out of step with most other civilised societies.

Quote from road safety groups

RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “This is a serious cause for alarm and reflects a worrying change in attitude by a number of drivers who are prepared to risk their own life and that of others by drinking and driving. “Anyone who has lost a loved one in a drink-driving accident will testify to how devastating and needless this is. With the reduced number of roads policing officers, it appears more drivers are thinking they can get away with drinking and driving.” Josh Harris, director of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, said: “Our current drink-drive limit gives a false impression that it is acceptable to mix alcohol and driving, which couldn’t be further from the truth. “Even very small amounts of alcohol dramatically affect your ability to drive safely. Decisive action is needed to end this blight on our roads and prevent the needless loss of life. Brake is calling for the Government to implement an effective zero-tolerance drink-drive limit, making clear to drivers that not a drop of alcohol is safe.” Hunter Abbott, managing director of UK breathalyser company AlcoSense, said: “With fewer numbers and stretched resources, the police can only do so much.  Combined with the highest drink drive limit in the developed world, it’s proved to be a lethal mixture.
“At the English limit, you are 13 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than when sober – five times more likely at the lower Scottish limit.”
A DfT spokesman said: “Drink-driving is absolutely deplorable, and those who do it not only put their own lives at risk but other people’s too. “The Government is working with industry to develop new roadside breath tests, meaning drink-drivers do not have the chance to sober up before being tested, while the THINK! Mates Matter campaign had the biggest impact in young drivers’ attitudes to drink-driving in a decade. “We are also looking at how to make our roads safer as part of our upcoming road safety action plan.”

The dangers of distracted driving

Whether you’re browsing online, playing games, or sending a quick text, anything that takes your eyes off the road when you’re driving puts you and other road users at risk. In fact, using a handheld device while driving can be even more distracting than driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as it makes you twice as likely to take your eyes off of the road. While drink-driving receives significant media attention, the dangers of distracted driving are seemingly less well known. Even though the Road Safety Act of 2006 made using a mobile device while driving illegal and the penalties were doubled in 2017, research from 2018 showed that one in five drivers still use their mobile phone while driving. That’s more than 7 million people using distracting hand-held devices while driving.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving is more than just using a mobile phone while driving. Anything that takes your focus away from your driving is a distraction. The US government breaks down these forms of distraction into three different categories. Visual A visual distraction is anything that causes you to take your eyes off the road. Looking at your satnav is an example, as you have to shift your focus away from where you’re going to look at the screen. Car manufacturers have been working to position satnavs and information screens as high on the dashboard as possible to minimise the distance your eyes have to travel. Manual Taking your hands off of the steering wheel for any reason is a manual distraction. Eating in the car or drinking a coffee are examples of this. Manual distractions are probably the most common type of distraction, as they can be as simple as changing a radio station or adjusting the air-conditioning. Cognitive The least obvious of the three, a cognitive distraction is when you are thinking about something other than driving. This can be anything from daydreaming to having a conversation with your passengers, and it’s something that almost every driver would have to admit they have done on many occasions. What makes mobile phone use so dangerous is that it is an example of all three categories at once. You manually operate your phone while looking at the screen and concentrate on the phone rather than the road ahead. man using phone while driving the car The move by most car manufacturers towards touchscreen infotainments systems is a real issue for distracted driving, as touchscreens require significantly more attention from the user to use. This is largely because the buttons are not in one fixed place and there is no real haptic feedback to know if you have successfully pressed the right button. You need to look carefully to see where you need to be touching the screen and then take your hand off the wheel for quite some time to touch the screen and input a command. Because the car is moving and the button positions are not consistent, it requires considerable cognitive effort compared to pushing physical buttons. Obviously, not every distraction is going to result in a fiery car crash. But it’s also impossible to argue with the fact that you can’t be prioritising your attention on your driving if you are attending to something else at the same time. If something happens in front of you while your focus is elsewhere, at best it will give you less time to react once you return your focus to your driving. At worst, an accident can happen in a flash and you will never know what happened.

Drive safe, not distracted

Remember that if your hands off the wheel and you are looking away from the road, you may not be able to react fast enough to avoid a collision. Keep yourself and others safe by keeping your hands, mind, and eyes focused on driving. This article was originally published in August 2016, and was most recently updated in January 2019. Chatting with your passengers is an example of distracted driving

Christmas traffic hotspots identified as 20 million take to roads

0
The worst hotspots in England for Christmas getaway jams have been identified by traffic experts. Motorists are being warned to expect “significant congestion on major roads” such as the M25, M6 and M40 as an estimated 20 million leisure journeys are made in the UK this week. Research by the RAC and traffic information firm Inrix suggests getaway traffic will be staggered over the coming days, reaching a peak towards the weekend.
You may also like:
Christmas bargains for clever car buyers 
Thursday and Friday are expected to be the worst days for congestion, with 2.5 million and 2.8 million vehicles respectively making leisure trips while battling for road space with regular commuters. On Thursday, delays of up to three hours are expected on one section of the northbound M6, while on Friday part of the southbound M40 could see drivers queuing for more than 90 minutes. Drivers are being advised to use alternative routes or wait until 8pm before setting off to avoid the worst queues. Inrix data scientist Joshua Kidd said: “Our data shows that compared to a normal day, Thursday 20th December will see the biggest increase in cars on the road. “With most drivers setting out mid-morning, traffic will become heavier over the course of the afternoon and stay congested into the evening. “But it’s not just those off to see family and friends – commuters, last-ditch shoppers and online deliveries will contribute to clogging the roads. “Drivers are advised to seek out alternative routes to their destinations and use the latest technology for real-time updates.”
Predicted Christmas getaway traffic jam hotspots
Predicted Christmas getaway traffic jam hotspots (PA Graphics)
Highways England will lift more than 200 miles of roadworks on the country’s motorways and major A-roads by 6am on Friday to ensure more than 97% of the network is open for the festive getaway. RAC patrol of the year Mark Souster urged motorists to carry out basic maintenance checks on their cars – such as oil, coolant and screenwash levels and tyre condition – before setting off. He said: “It’s vitally important every driver planning a trip gives their car a once-over to make sure it’s up to the job. “A single breakdown can bring some roads to a grinding halt, slowing down the Christmas getaway for all of us.” The anticipated jams will be compounded by extensive disruption to the rail network, with planned engineering work and strikes forcing more people on to the roads over the festive period. Strikes are likely to affect routes run by Northern Rail and South Western Railway, while Network Rail is planning extensive engineering work on lines running into major stations such as London Paddington and London Victoria.

Essential off-road driving accessories

Many 4×4 owners wouldn’t dream of taking their vehicles off-road. Some worry about breaking down, others about getting stuck, or they simply become consumed in mechanical sympathy. Instead of conquering off-road courses, capable 4x4s are usually resigned to the school run.  

It is possible to reduce the impact of off-roading insomnia, however, by equipping your vehicle with some of the essentials listed below.

Off-road tyres

The tyres originally fitted to most modern 4×4 vehicles are not up to any serious off-roading. Replacements that offer higher levels of grip and traction in off-road conditions are recommended.

Keeping a spare tyre within your off-roader should go without saying, yet is commonly forgotten. Most new cars no longer come with a proper spare tyre, which may not be a big deal for city driving but will be more problematic if you suffer a puncture somewhere well off the beaten track.

4x4 on a muddy trail

Jack & lug wrench

A jack is a vital tool for tyre changes, and the miserable little ones supplied with most cars are rubbish when trying to lift two-plus tonnes of SUV off the ground.

Have a look at an electric jack, to ensure that the task doesn’t take too much of a physical toll. These run off your cigarette lighter or 12-volt power socket and will make your life much easier.

It’s also advisable to invest in a heavy-duty lug wrench to properly loosen and tighten the lug nuts when changing wheels, as once again the standard-issue model is probably inadequate.

Vehicle protectors

Purchasing headlight protectors for your vehicle could be handy, as it’s quite common for stones and other debris to fly up and break your car’s headlights, leaving you in the dark.

Investing in plastic bonnet defenders should further prevent the outside world from causing costly dents and scratches. These are not overly expensive and are much cheaper than having your bonnet repaired or repainted.

Jeep on top of a ridge

Satellite navigation

Imagine having so much fun exploring the wilderness that you completely lose your bearings and suddenly become lost. While most smartphones have a mapping app built in, that’s not much good if you can’t get any mobile signal out in the wilderness.

If you have a satellite navigation system to hand, however, you can follow the on-screen directions to get you back on track. If your car doesn’t have factory-fitted satnav, you can get a relatively cheap portable unit pretty much anywhere.

You should also take a traditional map, in case your satnav malfunctions or runs out of batteries.

Shovel & traction aids

Ever heard the saying ‘stuck up a creek without a paddle’? This can be applied to becoming bogged down in a 4×4. To avoid such a scenario, maintain a relatively low speed. If you do end up stuck, do not make the mistake of spinning your wheels at full throttle.

Instead, you should attempt to extricate your vehicle with a shovel and some carpet-covered planks. If you’re really struggling then it may be best to use a trusty high lift jack and strong recovery line.

Mobile phone

An absolute essential that you have to have so you can contact friends, family and perhaps (but hopefully not) the emergency services if all goes wrong. They should be able to provide assistance in an accident or navigational problem.

Most mobile networks have pretty extensive coverage across the UK, but check your coverage before heading abroad.

Lastly, don’t forget your phone charger. The best phone in the world is no more than an expensive paperweight if the battery goes flat!

Land Rover in a creek
OK, this is a bit more advanced…

Average of 179 motorists caught drunk-driving every day in December 2017

0
Police across the UK caught an average of 179 drunk-drivers per day in December 2017, new research has found. A series of Freedom of Information requests sent to 41 police forces across the UK by insurance comparison firm Confused.com revealed 5,551 motorists were caught intoxicated behind the wheel through the final month of the year. That alone accounts for 10% of the total drink-driving offences throughout 2017. December proved to be the highest month for caught drunk-drivers, while July followed in second with 5,213 offences. Last year as a whole also saw a 2% increase on the number of drivers caught under the influence, totalling 57,613, compared with 56,745 in 2016. A further survey by Confused.com of 2,000 motorists revealed 4% had been caught driving over the limit at some point, with 28% of those admitting to the crime saying it occurred the morning after drinking.
You may also like:

Amanda Stretton, Confused.com motoring editor, said: “There are a worrying number of people confused about how long they should wait between drinking alcohol and driving, and this has led to thousands of motorists being caught drunk behind the wheel each month. “Drink driving can seriously impact the safety of our roads and put other road users at risk. Not only this, but it can land drivers with a fine or driving ban, which can have a negative impact on their car insurance premiums. “To avoid getting caught out, we suggest drivers stop drinking early if they know they have to get behind the wheel in the morning, but the best advice would be to avoid drinking alcohol at all.”