[EV NXT]

Have a car that falls into the enthusiast category and play tunes with the gear box all night long.

The only reason for this issue to pop up is if the car does not have adequate performance.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

I'm a morning person and I do not like staying up late. Usually, once I get into a car, I don't fall asleep easily. In case I've to drive at night, I do these:

1. Sleep well the night before
2. Keep warm water (lukewarm) in a flask at reachable distance
3. Take breaks every 2 hours, stretch arms, neck, hip, legs, feet properly
4. Open windows every hour or so, for cross ventilation
5. Sing loudly, if my favorite music is playing, this really charges me up
6. As a Mallu, I always wear my "Mundu" (dhoti) while I'm driving long distances, I cannot explain enough, how comfortable I feel with this is compared to any other clothing. To me, with a Mundu on, it feels like the lower part of my body is breathing.

Spike

PS - I used to go for long, late night test drives with Dhabhar Sir, mostly near Deolali and sometimes towards Malshej Ghat and Igatpuri, we had plenty of things to discuss and keep engaged, never felt sleepy while he was driving.

[SR-71]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

As a Mallu, I always wear my "Mundu" (dhoti) while I'm driving long distances, I cannot explain enough, how comfortable I feel with this is compared to any other clothing. To me, with a Mundu on, it feels like the lower part of my body is breathing.

ROFL. Comfortable attire does make a big difference while doing long distance, irrespective of weather its day or night. I always have my cargo shorts & t-shirts on with buckled but breathable footwear on.

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

2. Keep warm water (lukewarm) in a flask at reachable distance

Did not know luke warm water helped, any scientific reason or its just a, works for me pointer... I do carry a sipper thermos of chill water in my case.

[IshaanIan]

I find that what works best for me is talking to a friend. This might vary from person to person some people tend to feel distracted when speaking through hands-free means as well so for them it might not be appropriate.

[hema4saran]

Music and water are my best buddies when driving. Drinking plenty of water will ensure that I stop once in every two hours for bio break and music will keep my drive entertaining. Also if I have my wife or friends in car, we will start chatting and laughing about the funny things we did in the past to keep passing time.

[GrandTourer]

I love night driving, even more than during the day. The weather is so much better, traffic is less and it's generally more peaceful because most people are not in a rush to reach somewhere.
I follow the general trend here:

• Keep Red Bull in the car on 1000km drives just in case
• Coke, Thums Up or Mountain Dew (preferred) as they have some amount of caffeine
• Good playlist - not too calming, not too loud.
• Okay this will sound dark, but I love listening to cold case files podcast. Some of those cases are so bad they just keep yuo awake for days

I'm anyways an undiagnosed insomniac, so even without the above I'm able to do night drives with ease. But I do take the above precautions for that one unfortunate moment that might come along, for my and other road user's sake.

[anujmishra]

If one enjoys driving and there are pressing need for travel, one can drive solo for long. I have done enough day / night solo driving for past 15+ years, it appears for me as normal chore.

I do not keep Red Bull, Coke or any aerated drinks in the car. As I hate these products. Simple water is more than enough. If there are hot weather outside I may sometimes keep Mango/Orange based drinks. Few tea breaks at Dhaba refreshes the mind. Music selection is mostly Bollywood music of 70s, 80s, 90s.

At night, specially between 2AM till 4AM is most difficult time. When in need I pull to a safe petrol pump, push back the driver seat, flatten the back rest and take my cushion and sleep through by keeping AC and engine running. I always keep cushion in my car for all kind of drives.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Originally Posted by SR-71

Did not not luke warm water helped, any scientific reason or its just a, works for me pointer... I do carry a sipper thermos of chill water in my case.

Not sure if there is a scientific reason I can use to substantiate my claim, but it works for me. Perhaps due to the reason, we are used to drinking warm water (boiled in jeera, ajwain, coriander seeds, pathimugham Sappan Wood, guava leaves, other herbs) after our meals.

One reason I can think of is, for people driving at night with AC on, luke-warm water might be a better option than chilled water (gentle on throat). This is my personal opinion, I may be wrong.

Spike

[Nav-i-gator]

I love night time driving, but rarely do so. For obvious safety reasons related to India and Indian roads. However, whenever I do that, I do the following:

1. Keep looking at your side mirrors and IRVM, one by one, even if you can't see anything in the dark. Keeps your mind away from "tunnel vision'

2. At the slightest hint of fatigue (sleepiness due to boredom), drink water, slow down a bit, and start singing with the song playing (I'm a really bad singer, so this I can do only when I am driving alone )

3. Wash your face with cold water, and move on till the time you reach somewhere you can halt and take a break.

[smasher]

I was a regular night driver. I work in Bangalore and hometown is about 300 KM away. Frequent trips to hometown after Bangalore traffic eases out (9 PM) and reaching destination about 3AM to get enough sleep and save the day. Returns used to be Sunday 5 PM to reach City after traffic eases out.

Fatigue sets in without your knowledge, Couple of times I missed the turn where I have frequented 100 s of times. Also tend to get very sleepy after dinner.

Always had the co passenger awake and watching me when I thought I was not very alert. Took breaks whenever felt sleepy. A power nap really helps.

Recently, after Covid, changed my trips to early morning (4 AM start). It is working out really well.

[sudev]

IMHO of all the advice given the one that I would totally avoid "Follow a fast driver / car / bus /...."

Nothing can be more hypnotic than following a pair of tail lights over a long period of time. You loose sense of barking distance required at your speed.

For one Hypnotic vision leads to sleepiness and lethargy. Tunnel vision is another name for same.

For the other 99.9% of the time you brake early as you see flash from the tail lights ahead. Safe is it not? BUT (notice big BUT) if the driver you are following errs.....???? Have seen too many accidents where the first vehicle hit an oncoming or a stranded vehicle and the one behind ploughed straight in because he never saw the brake lights.

For another your eyes loose ability to adjust to oncoming lights quickly as you are protected by this vehicles shadow. If he stops and you have to overtake you continue at same pace and you do not realise either your headlights are not safe (strong) enough for that speed or you get trouble adjusting to oncoming and are blinded.

On highways of Europe this is even more hazardous with drizzle that adds to night driving problems.

Answering - Do I drive at night? Yes almost always when going long distances. Early early 2-3 AM starts are a norm. Or late night back to home from cities in Greater NCR. Avoids Delhi traffic and gives me comfortable sleep in my own bed.

[COMMUTER]

I switch between listening to my favourite YouTube speakers and the audio Bible , that keeps me occupied throughout the all night drives.

[iamahunter]

Do night drives only if you love it or if there is a dire emergency, else Avoid.

I personally love night drives and prefer to travel long distances at night. Main reasons being cooler climate, lesser number of cars = lesser rash drivers, less intrusions from pedestrians and way less wait times at tolls.

While traveling at night, its best to listen to podcasts. A podcast is way more effective in keeping one indulged and awake compared to music (personal preference).

Carry and drink a little more water than you usually would. Frequent short pee brakes help one relive and refresh a lot.

Set a comfortable temperature, too hot and body starts feeling tired, too cold and body gets uncomfortable. I avoid keeping windows open as I find the wind noise to be a nuisance.

Avoid staring into the oncoming headlights, divert your attention towards the road signs or the road markings on such instances.

Avoid watching anything on mobile (series/movies etc), maps should be fine.

These are a few things I follow while driving at night.

[chinkara]

2:30 - 3 AM starts for me.

The only time I did a night drive was Aurangabad Mumbai where I had a plant visit till late evening in Aurangabad and a meeting next day morning in Mumbai. I keep a flask of coffee with me and keep sipping. Also tables of prime numbers helps.

[deathwalkr]

My late night drives end at 12AM

Chewing gum and music helps with the window down. That adrenaline rush when Saxon's Ride Like The Wind comes in the playlist is just amazing.

"And i've got such a long way to go, to reach the border of mexico, so i ride...ride like the wind" \m/