Rest Periods
I know lots of people that boast about doing the Wellington to Auckland trip in under 8 hours. That is probably ok in a sports car, or a police cruiser, but in a classic housebus, you are going to need a few more stops…
Loads of people insist that there is just no time to stop for a ten minute break on the side of the road every couple of hours, so keep pushing til they reach their destination.
I hear you saying “but there isn’t any breaks in the traffic. If I stop now, It’ll take me forever to get back in the flow”
Bollocks! Balderdash! Brickhouse!
A ten minute break is far better for you than trying to push them nails out from inside the coffin! You will wait just a few minutes for a break in the traffic, even if it is fairly dense, so take that break.
Rest assured, you will feel better for it. And its a great opportunity to stop and take in some of the scenery.
- posted on 03/02/2012 20:38:14
I keep tennis balls in the car on linger hourneys. Every couple of hours we stop and play catch. It’s a good way to keep energy levels up, and “re-focus”
As a former linehaul truck driver, primarily on the Lewis Pass and Kaikoura coast, I would add something about rest from a commercial drivers stand point.
For vehicles operating under a log book requirement, a 30 minute rest break is required after five and a half hours. Realistically you will be doing well to last that long without needing to relieve yourself. Generally I used to find that driving continuously for between two to four and a half hours was good for making good time and having adequate breaks.
Also, doing something physical for five minutes will leave you feeling more refreshed for driving than sitting around for half an hour. In fact if you are just going to remain sitting through your rest, you may as well keep driving for all the good it will do you.