Riding shotgun might seem pretty simple while your friend or someone else is driving. However, you do still need to be mindful of how you act. Certain things can actually make your trip a bit more risky than it needs to be…
Riding Shotgun: Safety Tips
Don’t mess with things
When riding shotgun, it’s important to remember that you’re technically a guest in another person’s car. That’s why you shouldn’t mess with things your driver has set up. After all, it’s their car, not yours. Some common examples include the AC system and music that’s playing.
If you mess with these things, then not only are you being a rude guest, but you’re also distracting them. Therefore, try to come prepared. Wear the right kind of clothing if you know the driver likes to keep things cold or warm. Also, bring headphones if you want to listen to your own music.
Try to stay awake
Another thing to keep in mind while riding shotgun is that you should try to stay awake. In general, it can be seen as a bit rude to fall asleep. Your role as a passenger is to help provide some company for the driver. If you fall asleep, it could cause the driver to lose focus, and potentially get drowsy themselves.
Unless you’re sick or extremely tired, it’s good to try and stay awake with the driver. That’s especially crucial when driving at night. You’ll want to help the driver keep awake and look for rest stops where you can spend the night if needed. Drinking something with caffeine can help give you a bit of a boost.
Serve as the co-pilot
Riding shotgun basically places you as the driver’s co-pilot. You should be willing to help them out when they might need it. For example, it could be something simple like changing the songs for them. Or, it could also involve checking the directions on GPS.
Due to this, it can be helpful to prepare ahead of time. Look over the planned route and get familiar with what you’ll need to tell the driver. If the GPS is on your phone, make sure it’s charged. Having a portable charger on hand is pretty useful just in case.