The month of Ramadan is about devotion and reflection for Muslims all around world.
As the month of Ramadan is approaching, PCO and private hire drivers continue to work while observing the fast from dawn until sunset. This can impact energy level, alertness, and overall health and wellbeing.
Therefore, it is important that PCO and private hire drivers are healthy and comfortable not just during Ramadan but every day during working hours in order to provide an efficient and effective service, while staying safe on the roads.
Below is some guidance on how PCO and private hire drivers can stay healthy and safe on the roads.
Fasting, health and wellbeing: How to say safe behind the wheel
Fasting can affect driving ability, especially if you feel tired or dehydrated:
- Recognise your physical limit – if you feel your body is weakening, feel faint or unable to focus, you must find a safe place to stop and rest.
- Prioritise sleep and rest – in order to get good quality sleep, you will need to regulate your schedules, even including short naps, as tiredness can undermine driving ability.
- Extra caution while driving – if your energy level is low, drivers should increase awareness, keep safe distance from other vehicles and stay attentive to unexpected changes in traffic.
- Take breaks and rehydrate – if feeling out-of-focus and lazy, drivers should pull over safely and relax for a while before continuing driving. When breaking your fast (iftar), drivers must ensure they drink plenty of water and have a well-balanced diet to restore energy.
- Planning your journey – as PCO and private hire drivers, it is vital you plan your journey ahead, keeping in mind traffic patterns which will help you to reduce stress and keep you safe and comfortable throughout your journeys.
Other ways to ease stress and be more efficient during Ramadan
Getting most of Electric Vehicle (EV):
Ways to improve driving when driving electric vehicle:
- Regenerative braking – slowing down to recapture energy, which will help to extend battery range
- Effortless driving – by avoiding harsh acceleration or heavy braking, drivers can save energy and provide a comfortable journey for their customers.
- Strategic charging – to preserve battery health and safeguards drivers to drive without long delays, it is vital to ensure battery life is between 20% – 80%.
EV Regulations and parking/Avoiding Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
Understanding parking rules and regulations to save time and money:
- Free or discounted parking permits – there are various London Boroughs who offer low-cost or free EV parking permits, which helps drivers to cut down costs.
- Charges while charging – If you charge on a residential street without a permit, you will usually need to pay parking fees; therefore, ensure you are aware of parking rules and regulation when charging.
- PCN hotspots – gain familiarity of common PCN hotspots, especially in central zones and congestion charge zones.
- PCN enforcement time – ensure you are aware of peak times in certain areas. This could sometimes be early hours in the mornings.
- Autopay – ensure you register to autopay to avoid getting fines in certain places i.e. tunnels or bridges.
Overall
As PCO and private hire drivers, it is imperative that you always put your health and well-being foremost. Therefore, by adapting to strategic driving, understanding the local parking rules and regulations and by avoiding any fines, this will help to reduce stress and enhance safety during the month of Ramadan and throughout the whole year.
