Goin’ down the road in style

“Children who are bored, hungry or fighting with their siblings can turn a pleasant family outing into a stressful situation,” says Silvana Aceto, spokesperson with CAA South-Central Ontario.

But these days, it’s generally easier to keep the kids occupied during a long drive. While the old standbys – books, art supplies and games such as I Spy – can entertain, it’s the modern accoutrements such as DVD players and electronic games that can translate into a relatively peaceful trip for everyone. Just make sure you carry extra batteries for the handheld games.

You can outfit your car with any number of devices to make driving more pleasurable. Global positioning systems (GPS) – whether installed directly by your car’s manufacturer or through a portable device – solves the “we’re lost” problem and also can mean being involved in fewer traffic jams. GPS also can direct you to the nearest park, gas station or restaurant.

A good sound system, with or without satellite radio, can help the hours pass, as can adding video components. Seat covers – some with massage or even cooling systems to avoid that “hot seat” shock when getting into a car on a summer’s day – are also essential to some drivers, especially for longer trips.

It’s also a good idea to have some sort of organizing system in place so that temper tantrums don’t ensue, from children and adults alike, when trying to dig out lost portable devices, drinks, sunglasses, lip balm and the like. Keeping litter bags within easy reach of passengers helps keep backseat areas tidy. Extra garbage bags and moist wipes also ensure that spills get cleaned up quickly.

And the CAA recommends drivers avoid hitting the road without a safety kit, which can be purchased as a unit at hardware stores (and through the CAA) or put together item by item. These kits should include a first aid kit, jumper cables, a spare tire, a tire inflator and pressure gauge, a working jack, electrical tape, bottled water and energy bars.

Although whining passengers and messes can be distracting, driver fatigue is downright dangerous. The CAA recommends a 10- to 15-minute break every two to three hours at a minimum to prevent this kind of impaired driving.

Focusing on physical activity during these breaks is essential to ward off weariness and prevent end-of-day muscle soreness caused by sitting for too long.

“Bring a ball and play catch with your kids,” says Aceto, who also recommends stopping along the way for a picnic. Getting out of the car and moving can refresh the mind and body, she says, so you’re ready for another round of driving. The CAA highly recommends taking turns with another driver, if possible, to prevent fatigue and boredom.

What you eat while on the road is important, too, according to Natasha Turner, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto and author of several books, including The Carb Sensitivity Program. She recommends travellers nosh on snacks that are protein-rich. Keep carbs low and fats healthy, she adds, so your energy remains high and your focus stays sharp. Eating right also reduces bad moods.

Turner never travels without Emergen-C in her purse to refuel when she feels her energy lagging. The powdered contents of these packets are added to water, come in different flavours and include supplements such as vitamin C, B vitamins and electrolytes.

Turner also suggests packing a cooler containing bottled water and various snacks so you don’t rely on fast-food options. IE

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