Festivalgoers are being warned about the dangers of driving tired.
Festivalgoers should rest before driving home
A new study from heycar showed that people find the drive home after a music event to be the most challenging of the year for Gen Z and Millennials, beating going home for Christmas and returning from a staycation, and with 10-20% of crashes estimated to be caused due to driver fatigue, they're being urged to get some rest before getting behind the wheel.
While 7/10 roadusers prep their cars with water, first aid kits and even spare clothes for long journeys, just a fifth keep basic bedding in case they need a rest.
As a result of the findings, heycar have teamed up with James Wilson, AKA The Sleep Geek, to offer advice on how to prepare for a post-festival trip.
James said: “When visiting a festival, sleep is probably not at the top of our list of priorities, but when it comes to the long drive home, we need to make sure we are alert enough to drive safely.
"For most of us having less than six hours sleep for a night can impact our decision making and alertness and when you factor in how alcohol impacts the quality of our sleep, you can see why a festival might not be the best preparation for a long drive.
"Although, whilst your car isn’t the first choice of location to get some recuperative sleep, you can make it a lot more comfortable, and a relaxing haven for a much needed 40 winks.”
Among James' tips are to enjoy a nappuccino before setting off - a shot of caffeine before a nap of no more than 30 minutes, sleeping with the front seats reclined all the way back, covered with a blanked spritzed with a partner's perfume to feel comfortable and physically secure, and to pack a travel pillow and a 'dark and quiet' kit of earplugs and eyemask.