Don’t let safety go up in smoke

The introduction of the smoking ban in public places in England means that much of the UK – including many cars - is now a smoke-free zone. Although this is good news for many people, it can cause stress levels to rise for smokers, which is particularly bad news when they’re driving. To help ease the pressure, Avis has produced 10 top tips to help smoking – and non-smoking - drivers stay calm behind the wheel.

“Smokers will inevitably find the ban hard,” said Daniel McCarthy, Commercial Director, Avis UK “and, with the ban extending to certain company cars and also imposed by vehicle rental companies, the option to retreat to the car for a quick ciggie no longer exists for many people. Stressed drivers can be unsafe drivers, so motorists need to be aware of the dangers, and these hints can help anyone keep their cool, whether they are a smoker or not.”

Avis advises drivers:

Stay alert – concentrate on the road around you, not on any nagging cravings.

Have a snack before you head off, so that you’re not bothered by hunger and don’t need to eat at the wheel. But avoid caffeine-filled drinks, which can make you more jumpy.

If you’re already stressing out about things before you get into the car they will crowd your mind and detract from your driving. Before you get into the vehicle, write down a list of the things you need to do or that are concerning you, then put it away and spend your time behind the wheel concentrating on driving safely rather than mulling over what’s bothering you.

Plan your journey – nothing is more stress-inducing than getting lost. If you’re taking an unfamiliar route, programme the Sat Nav or take the time to look at a map and make brief notes to keep you on the right route.

Breathe! Keep your breathing calm and steady – this will help keep stress levels down and relax your muscles.

If you’re stationary in heavy traffic or at a red light, take that time to focus on your breathing and seize the opportunity to ease tension by doing some gentle head rolls and shrugging your shoulders a few of times.

Build time into long journeys to take regular breaks. If you’re a smoker, plan ahead for a place where you can smoke legally and safely. Don’t just pull off the road into a dark lay-by – particularly if you’re a woman travelling alone.

When you take that break, take a few seconds to stretch to release some tension – even gentle exercise is a great stressbuster. And if you’re feeling really uptight, park up safely, shake your arms and legs for a minute or so, then let yourself go limp and focus on your breathing. Or sit quietly in the car for five to ten minutes with your eyes closed, breathe deeply and calmly, consciously relax all your muscles, and imagine that you’re in a favourite place such as a sunny garden or by the ocean. When you finish, take another few minutes to become fully alert before you drive on - hopefully feeling refreshed.

Music can be a great soother, so put on music that you really enjoy listening to. Avoid the drivetime news programmes if you usually find news agitating. And consider buying some audio books on CD or cassette.

If you have passengers – particularly noisy children – don’t get angry with them. Instead use the stop and breathe method.

Finally, remember that you’re not the only driver feeling the strain. The person in the lane next to you could be equally wound up, so avoid aggressive driving or responding to another’s bad driving in an aggressive manner.