New driver - long distance advice needed
Discussion
Take a break every couple of hours...
Also, be at a different speed to surrounding traffic so you are either being overtaken or overtaken.
Finally, I have a feeling that in northern ireland new drivers are limited to 90 kph _EVEN ON MOTORWAYS_; I'm not sure if this applies to you, but it may be worth checking. If you do have to do such a speed it might make things a lot more exciting
Also, be at a different speed to surrounding traffic so you are either being overtaken or overtaken.
Finally, I have a feeling that in northern ireland new drivers are limited to 90 kph _EVEN ON MOTORWAYS_; I'm not sure if this applies to you, but it may be worth checking. If you do have to do such a speed it might make things a lot more exciting
imbecile said:
I have a feeling that in northern ireland new drivers are limited to 90 kph _EVEN ON MOTORWAYS_; I'm not sure if this applies to you, but it may be worth checking. If you do have to do such a speed it might make things a lot more exciting
Thanks for pointing that out...it was something I was blissfully unaware of the last time I drove through Northern Ireland (Perhaps I was just used to being able to take full advantage of motorways over in the mainland UK after passing my test.) I'll go check it out asap
The main annoyance I found last time I travelled across on a short trip to Donegal was actually having to stop and change the digital dashboard on my grans Picasso over to kph
Fortunately not an issue on the standard analogue dual-scale dashboard I'm used to driving Edited by BonzoGuinness on Monday 26th June 06:03
Take a break at least for 10 minutes every 2 hours. I find that it is better to take 10 minute breaks every hour.
Have fluids handy (with straw!).
And very importantly: make sure the car you're driving is up to the task. Tyre pressure check (don't forget the spare one), oil check, brake fluid check, and fan belt checks are essential. Perhaps take the car for a basic service check, if you haven't had one in a while.
Have fluids handy (with straw!).
And very importantly: make sure the car you're driving is up to the task. Tyre pressure check (don't forget the spare one), oil check, brake fluid check, and fan belt checks are essential. Perhaps take the car for a basic service check, if you haven't had one in a while.
trying not to be patronising, but do *you* think you are up to the task (trying to get the emphasis in the right place)? That's a lot of driving in one day.
My 18 yr old is a good driver and has gained quite a lot of experience in her 1 year on the road (together with 3 years driving prior to that), but if she asked me my advice on such a journey, I would strongly council against doing it in one day.
If I have read your post right, that's 12 odd hours of driving which is the same as my drive taking the family to the fr alpes and that is for me a long old haul.
I can't comment on your skills, stamina and experience, but sounds like pushing it to me after 5 months!
Graham
My 18 yr old is a good driver and has gained quite a lot of experience in her 1 year on the road (together with 3 years driving prior to that), but if she asked me my advice on such a journey, I would strongly council against doing it in one day.
If I have read your post right, that's 12 odd hours of driving which is the same as my drive taking the family to the fr alpes and that is for me a long old haul.
I can't comment on your skills, stamina and experience, but sounds like pushing it to me after 5 months!
Graham
Thanks for all the responses
It is an understandably daunting task and that's why I'm trying to make sure in every way possible that I am fully prepared for what lies ahead I've agreed with my grandad that I'll take care of the night driving and as much of the long-distance stint that we both feel is safe. He'll be rested and ready to take over during the day, so we'll hopefully be sharing a lot of the task.
Rest stops will be pretty much neccesitated not only by common sense but also by the car itself - I occasionally drive the Picasso we'll be taking and spent a lot of time today trying to re-familiarise myself with it. It's a very hard car to get comfortable in due to the lack of a reach-adjustable steering wheel, combined with the feeling of almost pressing from above the pedals whilst driving it (Perhaps down to my somewhat awkward figure
) . The '06 Vectra SRI I normally have access to is much lower, with a more comfortable driving position. With regular stops to stretch the legs and take a breather, it should be workable, but I won't be pushing it any further than I feel safe doing so.
The 1.6 engine is also quite pokey compared to the 2.2 I'm used to, so I expect to be using a lot of the crawler lanes on the way to the ferry through Ayrshire
Stamina wise, I remember driving for literally hours on end on the days just after passing my test - but this was never beyond around 100 miles or for more than 8 hours in the car in one go (
) - so I have very little experience of montonous long distance motorway driving 
- although I am quite comfortable with their general useage ie the do's and don'ts, etiquette etc.
Finally the car has also just had its main regular service (annual I think - not sure of the period set), and is sitting on a new set of tyres (all wheels balanced). I'll be checking the pressures etc before we leave of course, and we have a puncture kit and 12VDC compressor in the boot as well as the spare slung underneath (chained to avoid it getting nicked - best remember to attach the padlock key to carkeys!)
It is an understandably daunting task and that's why I'm trying to make sure in every way possible that I am fully prepared for what lies ahead
I've agreed with my grandad that I'll take care of the night driving and as much of the long-distance stint that we both feel is safe. He'll be rested and ready to take over during the day, so we'll hopefully be sharing a lot of the task. Rest stops will be pretty much neccesitated not only by common sense but also by the car itself - I occasionally drive the Picasso we'll be taking and spent a lot of time today trying to re-familiarise myself with it. It's a very hard car to get comfortable in due to the lack of a reach-adjustable steering wheel, combined with the feeling of almost pressing from above the pedals whilst driving it (Perhaps down to my somewhat awkward figure
) . The '06 Vectra SRI I normally have access to is much lower, with a more comfortable driving position. With regular stops to stretch the legs and take a breather, it should be workable, but I won't be pushing it any further than I feel safe doing so. The 1.6 engine is also quite pokey compared to the 2.2 I'm used to, so I expect to be using a lot of the crawler lanes on the way to the ferry through Ayrshire
Stamina wise, I remember driving for literally hours on end on the days just after passing my test - but this was never beyond around 100 miles or for more than 8 hours in the car in one go (
) - so I have very little experience of montonous long distance motorway driving - although I am quite comfortable with their general useage ie the do's and don'ts, etiquette etc. Finally the car has also just had its main regular service (annual I think - not sure of the period set), and is sitting on a new set of tyres (all wheels balanced). I'll be checking the pressures etc before we leave of course, and we have a puncture kit and 12VDC compressor in the boot as well as the spare slung underneath (chained to avoid it getting nicked - best remember to attach the padlock key to carkeys!
) Edited by BonzoGuinness on Monday 26th June 13:33
Hello David - welcome to PH and congratulations on your test pass.
Others have already made good suggestions, so I would just say leave yourself sufficient time to do your journey in a relaxed and unhurried manner, take plenty of breaks and do guard against getting over tired and sleepy.
Have a good trip and stay safe.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Others have already made good suggestions, so I would just say leave yourself sufficient time to do your journey in a relaxed and unhurried manner, take plenty of breaks and do guard against getting over tired and sleepy.
Have a good trip and stay safe.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Welcome to PH! A sensible and interesting first post- well done!
My belief about driving is that so long as you have the correct attitude, safety will come with that.
By the very fact that you're coming on here asking such questions and preparing in such a way it shows that you are being sensible about it, and will approach the journey with the respect it deserves.
The very obvious things have already been said and I fully agree with them. It will be a hard trip - and night driving is even more difficult, but just make sure you have fluids handy (with straw or easy-clip top), an IPOD all ready to play, and some sweets or something like that.
Such a journey will be good fun, but tiring, so just make sure you stop everytime you feel a bit tired and, if necessary, take a 15min nap; rather that than start to wander.
Good luck and, once again, welcome to PH
My belief about driving is that so long as you have the correct attitude, safety will come with that.
By the very fact that you're coming on here asking such questions and preparing in such a way it shows that you are being sensible about it, and will approach the journey with the respect it deserves.
The very obvious things have already been said and I fully agree with them. It will be a hard trip - and night driving is even more difficult, but just make sure you have fluids handy (with straw or easy-clip top), an IPOD all ready to play, and some sweets or something like that.
Such a journey will be good fun, but tiring, so just make sure you stop everytime you feel a bit tired and, if necessary, take a 15min nap; rather that than start to wander.
Good luck and, once again, welcome to PH
Welcome and interesting question.
I read all about your intentions and plans. As might be expected I'll approach this from a slightly different tangent.
I ask you to consider this.
Let us assume that for argument's sake you have to comply with Driver hours rules for Road Passenger vehicles. See VOSA site for details.
Using your figures, (no idea if they are accurate or what is allowed in those for stops etc) I make it you'd be out of time approximately 2 hours short of destination.
That is with even allowing the extra hour allowed twice per week only. Then there is the question of delays, perhaps the journey takes longer.
Now I know a Picasso is not a 10 seater which is where the regs kick in so legally you don't have to obey these rules. But let's, again for argument's sake balance that off against the relative inexperience, no offence intended.
As DVD knows I do long continental drives though usually on less demanding roads than t'other side of Irish Sea.
Based on your planned driving times personally I would not do this as sole driver. If the ferry were an overnight and I'd had the daily rest allowed in a cabin then I'd be perfectly happy to do the Irish leg in one hit, with stops of course. But after a 4 hour drive plus a short ferry crossing, together with all the faffing about of loading/unloading/checking in etc?
Nope you'll be knackered imho.
I read all about your intentions and plans. As might be expected I'll approach this from a slightly different tangent.
I ask you to consider this.
Let us assume that for argument's sake you have to comply with Driver hours rules for Road Passenger vehicles. See VOSA site for details.
Using your figures, (no idea if they are accurate or what is allowed in those for stops etc) I make it you'd be out of time approximately 2 hours short of destination.
That is with even allowing the extra hour allowed twice per week only. Then there is the question of delays, perhaps the journey takes longer.
Now I know a Picasso is not a 10 seater which is where the regs kick in so legally you don't have to obey these rules. But let's, again for argument's sake balance that off against the relative inexperience, no offence intended.
As DVD knows I do long continental drives though usually on less demanding roads than t'other side of Irish Sea.
Based on your planned driving times personally I would not do this as sole driver. If the ferry were an overnight and I'd had the daily rest allowed in a cabin then I'd be perfectly happy to do the Irish leg in one hit, with stops of course. But after a 4 hour drive plus a short ferry crossing, together with all the faffing about of loading/unloading/checking in etc?
Nope you'll be knackered imho.
hugoagogo said:
Flat in Fifth said:
personally I would not do this as sole driver.
me neither, I do a lot of miles, and that is just too much to do safely in one day
Strange isn't it reading this post; some excellent common sense discussion and suggestions to a lad who has obviously thought this through a bit
A few years ago whilst on holiday in Oz we drove from Sydney to Brisbane (approx 950 miles) in three days for the obvious reasons of sightseeing and not setting ourselves too tight a schedule. However talking to various locals revealed that it was not uncommon for people to do this journey in a day (14 hours to be precise 
). Similarly in Canada huge distances are covered on what can often be described as some of the most "boring" roads in the world (and some of the most spectacular). Guess its down to a difference in motoring culture and a case of what you know and grow up with. To add my own observations to this as a former distance truck driver the following may be useful:
Good sleep beforehand.
Know your route WELL. Don't rely on just SATNAV if you have it; get a good roadmap and PLAN.
Take plenty of fluids and snacks.
Check car (usual stuff; oil, washers, wipers, lights, tyres etc) and fill it up (twas a golden rule in Oz to fill up at every petrol station: next one could be 3 or 400 miles!!).
Plenty of rest stops (already documented)
and finally ...
if you get to that point where you feel you can't manage don't be scared to stop and take stock. You won't be the first or the last to do this and it may save you a heap of trouble!
Edited by Paclampet on Monday 26th June 21:50
Paclampet said:
However talking to various locals revealed that it was not uncommon for people to do this journey in a day (14 hours to be precise ). Similarly in Canada huge distances are covered on what can often be described as some of the most "boring" roads in the world (and some of the most spectacular). Guess its down to a difference in motoring culture and a case of what you know and grow up with.
). Similarly in Canada huge distances are covered on what can often be described as some of the most "boring" roads in the world (and some of the most spectacular). Guess its down to a difference in motoring culture and a case of what you know and grow up with.it is do-able, but it could easily be well over 14 hrs with traffic around dublin, meal breaks, granny's loo stops, re-srocking on werthers originals
etc i'd be tempted to break the trip up, go down through england, stay in a b&b, ferry over from liverpool or holyhead, specially as a novice and also for the sake of the old folks
Total distance: 223.5 miles (359.7 km )
Total estimated time: 4 hours and 47 min
Average speed of 30 Miles/h on national and country roads.
Average speed of 60 Miles/h on motorways.
that’s the Irish section of your route based on rac route planner which is always conservative - lord knows where 8 - 9 hours comes from
you didn't specify where you live in Scotland
i think whilst you're being sensible perhaps a little over cautious
Total estimated time: 4 hours and 47 min
Average speed of 30 Miles/h on national and country roads.
Average speed of 60 Miles/h on motorways.
that’s the Irish section of your route based on rac route planner which is always conservative - lord knows where 8 - 9 hours comes from
you didn't specify where you live in Scotland
i think whilst you're being sensible perhaps a little over cautious
I find a good audio book helps to keep me alert on long solo motorway drives - either comedy or a good book.
I switch off for heavy traffic and junctions though.
I think the sound of another persons voice can be more stimulating and less distracting than music (so long as it's not innane drivel by some nightshift DJ!).
The Guns of Naverone narrated by Richard Burton or general easy to follow thrillers for example really keep me awake and alert without being unduly distracting, though conversly I can find some female narrators voices are too soothing for the car and some crime novels demand too much attention and are thus too destracting.
I switch off for heavy traffic and junctions though.
I think the sound of another persons voice can be more stimulating and less distracting than music (so long as it's not innane drivel by some nightshift DJ!).
The Guns of Naverone narrated by Richard Burton or general easy to follow thrillers for example really keep me awake and alert without being unduly distracting, though conversly I can find some female narrators voices are too soothing for the car and some crime novels demand too much attention and are thus too destracting.
Seems most things have been covered, but I will add this one thing: Lucozade sport.
It's non-dieretic (so you won't feel the need to stop to take a whizz every ten minutes), and it isn't like Red Bull that gives you a false sense of awakeness followed by an unavoidable urge to sleep - it just keeps all the appropriate sugars and salts up to the right level. Go down to the super market and you can get multi-packs at a reasonable price (ie, not £1.20 a bottle) and it seems to stay cold for AGES.
Also, get yourself some tyre sealant and CO2 carts, just incase the worst of the worst happens and you get two punctures.
Best of luck with the trip.
It's non-dieretic (so you won't feel the need to stop to take a whizz every ten minutes), and it isn't like Red Bull that gives you a false sense of awakeness followed by an unavoidable urge to sleep - it just keeps all the appropriate sugars and salts up to the right level. Go down to the super market and you can get multi-packs at a reasonable price (ie, not £1.20 a bottle) and it seems to stay cold for AGES.
Also, get yourself some tyre sealant and CO2 carts, just incase the worst of the worst happens and you get two punctures.
Best of luck with the trip.
Edited by MrKipling43 on Tuesday 27th June 16:20
In addition to what everyone else has said, one of your biggest problems will be distractions from conversation IMO.
Can either of your passengers drive? Stick the one who can, in the passenger seat. They're your extra eyes and ears.
Don't be mucking around changing tapes or opening butties while driving, thats for more experienced drivers (changing radio, drinking coke, unwrapping sandwich, taking a phone call all at once heheh)
USE YOUR MIRRORS and always look over your shoulder when changing lanes and you'll be fine.
Can either of your passengers drive? Stick the one who can, in the passenger seat. They're your extra eyes and ears.
Don't be mucking around changing tapes or opening butties while driving, thats for more experienced drivers (changing radio, drinking coke, unwrapping sandwich, taking a phone call all at once heheh)
USE YOUR MIRRORS and always look over your shoulder when changing lanes and you'll be fine.
Roman said:
I find a good audio book helps to keep me alert on long solo motorway drives - either comedy or a good book.
I switch off for heavy traffic and junctions though.
I think the sound of another persons voice can be more stimulating and less distracting than music (so long as it's not innane drivel by some nightshift DJ!).
I switch off for heavy traffic and junctions though.
I think the sound of another persons voice can be more stimulating and less distracting than music (so long as it's not innane drivel by some nightshift DJ!).
This is another point some people may not have necessarily covered. If you're going to spend 8-12 hours in a car with these people, you need to make sure that it's a comfortable environment! There is nothing worse than having to spend 3 hours sat in a car with a grumpy person (as I know from my last trip - I had to default on music choice and listen to shaggy
). I don't know how much you drive with your grandparents, but I suggest driving like a saint for the first hour or so. If they feel comfortable with you, it'll make it a lot more pleasurable. Stock up on some music that you'll both enjoy - ABBA is usually non-offensive and liked by old people imo. Something like Radio 2 is also inoffensive and neutral, it's quite easy to listen to most of it as well. Classic FM is good background music as well. I don't know how much you can pick up in Ireland though - classic gold on Longwave would do the job though? Obviously though, you know them better than I do and can adjust accordingly.
Don't go overboard on food. It's quite tempting to just munch on a long journey, but you can end up eating too much sugar and either feel sick or get wired. Similarly don't drink too much! Lastly, be prepared to take an extra jumper or go purely in t-shirt, you know what old people and heating controls are like
Much of the info relates to forward planning. Make sure you know where the service stations are, and plan which ones to stop at. Are there any toll booths on the way? Have you looked at alternative routes in case of an accident or road closure? Even petrol stations - don't just wait for that fuel light to come on!
This may all sound a bit patronising, but you may not know it - I've learnt it over the last 4 years through trial and error. 12 hours is a long time if things start going pear shaped...
On a point of Classic FM, that can make a journey fly by! The 'tunes' are very long, so you find yourself being less aware of time passing. ALso the DJ's don't talk rubbish for ages between tracks so (if you'll excuse the pun!) it's easier to tune out and concentrate on the road. Its very relaxing music as well, I HATE TRAFFIC JAMS - it's the only thing that can get me through it... other than a fat spliff...... only kidding.
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