Glastonbury is over and now the big clean up - and the long drive home - begins.
With the dangers of tired driving being compared to drink driving, heycar are encouraging revellers to take a post-festival REST-ival this summer.
Nearly a third (32%) of those who have attended festivals and concerts admit to driving while tired – that’s the equivalent of 70,000 tired drivers from a festival the size of Glastonbury alone.
After a weekend of partying the drive home after a festival is the most challenging of the year (24%), beating driving home for Christmas (21%) and driving back from a staycation (20%) for Gen Z and Millennials.
For this reason, heycar has partnered with The Sleep Geek, James Wilson to offer advice and tips to UK motorists on how to prepare for these journeys and get the most out of a post-festival REST-ival.
As surprisingly, once parked safely, the car can be a great place to relax and recharge.
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 6 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.”
With 10-20% of all crashes estimated to be caused due to driver fatigue, motorways and dual carriageways are where most crashes happen. With festivals happening in rural settings, and with party goers travelling long distances the risks are clear.
Following a dance-filled weekend in notoriously un-comfy conditions, just 29% of Brits have pulled over on the way home from a festival due to tiredness.
As the craving for home comforts takes over, 40% want to get home for a comfy rest, while 34% prioritise showering and 18% look forward to home cooking.
When it comes to preparing for any unseen roadside issues, being tired behind the wheel is still something Brits aren’t ready for.
With 7/10 UK road users prepping their cars with water (68%), a first aid kit (58%) and even spare clothes (36%) for long journeys, just one fifth (20%) of Brits keep basic bedding in their car in case they need to rest in the car.
Charlotte Ford, Head of Brand Marketing & Engagement, said: “Festivals are all about a shared experience and a kinship between strangers. We hope people can take this kind outlook with them when driving home and ensure they look out for themselves and others when on the road.”
The Sleep Geek’s top tips for post festival REST-ival in the car
1. If you are wanting an energy boost before you start the drive home, have a nap for 30 minutes or less. If you have a shot of caffeine as you go to nap you get the benefit of both the nap and the caffeine as you wake, as caffeine takes about 30 minutes to metabolise. This is known as a nappuccino.
2. If you want a longer recuperative sleep make sure it lasts at least two hours. If you wake between 30 minutes and about two hours, you are more likely to wake from sleep feeling groggy and lethargic. But remember, sleep for too long in the day and you may struggle to sleep that night.
3. Prep a ‘dark and quiet kit’. A pair of earplugs and an eye mask means you can control the levels of light and noise around you, helping both the quantity and quality of the sleep you get.
4. Spray a blanket with your partner’s perfume (presuming you have one!). Not only will this keep you cosy and warm, it’ll make you feel more physically secure as you will feel like they’re there with you. Just like being at home!
5. Get the position right, my advice is if you can, recline the front seats all the way back. Trying to lay across the backseat will mean you get the seat belt digging into you, and sat upright in the seat just isn't as comfortable.
6. Pack a travel pillow to keep in the car. It will help keep your neck aligned and prevent you waking with a stiff neck which will make that drive home a lot more difficult.
7. You could use some relaxing music to help prepare you for sleep, maybe your favourite performer at the festival, and recent research shows that the song doesn't need to be quiet and slow, a loud raucous song you can dance to can also help you sleep, as long as it's a song you love.
