ROAD TRIP
DRIVING, SELF-CARE AND FESTIVALS
The freedom that comes with having a car and a licence is great – you can do what you want, when you want. One of the downsides though is that there’s a good chance that you end up driving to and from pretty much every single festival that you attend. Unlike your happy-go-lucky mates, you’ve got to think about getting there and back, how many seats you have and who gets them, and the chance of being drug tested on your way to and from the festival.
If you’re going to be the driver, you have the responsibility to make sure that you’re as safe as possible when driving – the lives of you, your mates, and other drivers depends on it. Here’s a few of the most important things to consider before jumping behind the wheel.
SOBRIETY
It should go without saying that you should never drive while intoxicated. Besides putting yourself and others in extreme danger, there are also massive fines and a pretty good chance you’ll lose your licence if you’re caught driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
A lot of music festivals in NSW have the BlowMeFirst service on site. BlowMeFirst offer on-site drug and alcohol testing, the same types used in RBTs and MDTs. While the service costs a small fee, it is definitely worth using them to make sure that you aren’t affected by drugs and alcohol before jumping behind the wheel.
REST UP
When leaving the festival, it’s important to be properly rested, recuperated, and ready for a long, dusty drive. We know that being sober is important, but did you know driving while tired can be just as risky?
If you’re driving while tired, you’re going to have slower reaction times, less concentration, poor judgement, and you may even nod off for a few seconds or have a microsleep. Studies have shown that being awake for 24 hours straight makes you drive like you have a blood alcohol level of 0.10%, which is double the legal limit for driving.
If you’re going to be driving home, you need to get a full night’s sleep (7+ hours) at some point over the festival, or at least a few hours if it’s a one- night event. If you’re scattered or are coming down, you’re probably going to need more sleep – you know when you’re tired, so listen to your body. If you know what fatigue looks and feels like, you can make an informed decision about whether or not your should be driving.
The signs of driver fatigue include: yawning, heavy/tired eyes, slowed reaction time, stiffness and cramps, daydreaming or not concentrating while driving, and impaired driving skills (e.g. poor gear changes, speed creeps up or down without noticing).
If you’re feeling tired while driving home, pull over for a rest or even a nap. It can help a lot to have someone to share the driving with, so ideally you should swap drivers at some point. Hopefully, at least one of the other freeloaders in your car has their license!
SAFETY FIRST
Camping festivals and doofs are usually held at locations out of the way, and getting there often means driving on remote, unfamiliar roads. We ain’t the cops and we ain’t your parents, but it needs to be said: don’t speed! In many cases, these roads will be loose gravel or even dirt, which means you’re going to want to take them a lot slower than you would normally.
There’s also a good chance that there’ll be wildlife about, especially if you’re driving at night. Hitting a kangaroo, koala, or wombat isn’t going to be fun for you or them and can do some serious damage to your car. The only way to avoid this happening is to slow right down, especially around dawn or dusk when these animals are more active.
Remember: don’t ever swerve to avoid hitting an animal. Ideally, you’ll be going at a slow enough speed that you can stop in time for them, but if not, just hit them. It won’t be pleasant, but it’s better than swerving, spinning out, and hitting a tree.
If you do hit an animal, pull up wherever is safe, and go back to check on them. They may be carrying their young, so have a look at their pouch if possible, and call WIRES’ Wildlife Rescue Line on 1300 094 737 if necessary.
If you hit and severely injured an animal, but they are still alive, you may decide that the most humane option is to put them out their misery – while this can be a difficult or even traumatic experience, it’s much better than leaving them there to die slowly.
FOR PASSENGERS
You think none of this applies to you? Think again! If you’re the passenger, you have as much of a stake in getting to and from the festival in one piece as the driver does, and you should support them however necessary during the drive.
You can support the driver in a few ways, but the most important thing is simply to stay awake and attentive while in the car. Make sure the driver is feeling good and safe before you leave and continue to check in with them during the drive. Everyone is tired at the end of the party, but you should avoid falling asleep if you’re the only passenger who’s awake.
There are more simple ways to support someone while they’re driving. Being the designated ciggie roller, snack distributor, and playlist curator can solidify friendships, and your company will be invaluable in helping the driver stay awake.
Tips to combat driver fatigue
The only way to actually address being tired is by sleeping. It’s never a good idea to keep pushing yourself, be it with chemical assistance or sheer willpower. However, if you do have to drive after a big weekend and a less-than-ideal amount of sleep, here are our best tips for ensuring you get home happy and in one piece:
Try and get a full night's sleep before leaving the festival
Take regular breaks – at least every two hours
Share the driving wherever possible
Don't drink alcohol or take any non-prescribed drugs before your trip – both uppers and downers can make the effects of fatigue much worse.
Avoid travelling at times when you'd usually be sleeping
Take a 20-minute power-nap in your car if you feel yourself becoming drowsy!