Safe Driving During Ramadan: Break Strategies and Effective Power Naps

Safe Driving During Ramadan: Break Strategies and Effective Power Naps

Driving while fasting requires extra attention because the body is not as primed as on ordinary days. A lack of food and fluids can make drivers tire more quickly, increasing the risk of reduced concentration on the road. Jusri Pulubuhu, founder of Jakarta Defensive Driving Consulting (JDDC), says drivers should pay attention to rest times during journeys. According to Jusri, signs of fatigue usually begin to appear after about two hours of driving. Therefore, drivers are advised to take a short break before the body is truly exhausted. ‘For the first break, because the driver is still fresh, the first break can be around 15–20 minutes. But there is no need to power nap; what they should do is stretch,’ Jusri told Kompas.com on Thursday (5 March 2026).

Jusri adds that drivers should step out of the vehicle during breaks to stretch and also check the car’s condition. After that, drivers can resume their journey and are advised to stop again every 1.5 to 2 hours. In the second break, a power nap or short sleep is recommended to restore stamina. ‘After the second rest, they should perform a power nap, because that rest is the most perfect, the most right, nothing can beat it, which is sleep,’ Jusri said. A power nap can last from five minutes to thirty minutes. Make sure to choose a comfortable rest place, either inside the car or in a shaded area where you can stretch out.