The blessed month of Ramadan is here once again. There are many things to look forward to during this month like breaking your fast with friends and family, Ramadan bazaars, Ramadan delicacies, and many more. But there is one thing that we would all like to avoid, and that is getting stuck in traffic while heading home to break your fast.
We’ve prepared some tips you can follow so you can easily break your fast while you’re on the road. Here’s what you can do.
Time Your Driving Schedule
During Ramadan, it’s common to see changes in the driving schedule of most Malaysians. The normal driving schedule when going to the office is usually between 7am to 8am and 5pm to 6pm when going back home.
This changes slightly during Ramadan – where most people will be driving back home from 4pm to 5pm, in order to make it back before the time to break fast, which is between 7.15pm and 7.30pm.
It’s best to time your driving schedule so that you won’t be stuck in traffic during your race to go back home to break your fast. 5pm to 6pm is usually the peak hour when traffic is at its all-time high. Avoid driving home during this time or you just might end up having to break your fast in the car.
Prepare Snacks
To delay breaking your fast is not a good fasting practice. When you’re stuck in traffic, you will not be able to eat a proper meal when the time comes to break your fast.
This is why it’s important to bring along some light snacks with you when driving. Keep a few energy bars and a bottle of water in your backpack, you never know when they will come in handy.
Breaking your fast with something sweet will give you the energy needed for your drive home and once you arrive home safely, you will be able to enjoy a feast together with your loved ones.
Listen to Azan
The Azan signifies that the time to break your fast has arrived. While it is preferable to listen to your favorite tunes on Spotify when you’re stuck in traffic, you might miss the timing to break your fast.
One way to keep an eye out for the Azan is to tune in to your local radio station, especially when the time to break your fast is near, at around 7pm. Or, you can also use mobile applications on your phone like the Muslim Pro app as it has a feature to notify you of the call to prayer when the time comes.
Get Handy Accessories
When breaking your fast in the car it’s important to keep your car clean and in order. There are various car accessories to help you do this that you can find online at a reasonable price.
You can use a foldable rear seat car dining tray like the one in this link to give you a proper space for your meal or snack while breaking your fast in the car. This ensures your car stays free from crumbs or spills when you’re eating.
Another accessory that is recommended for you is a portable dustbin like the one in this link that you can use to collect the trash in your car after you’re done eating.
But, Make Sure to Drive Safe When Eating on the Road
Find a Proper Place to Stop
Although some might say that it’s alright to continue driving while you break your fast, it’s better to find a place to stop your car properly so you will be able to have a light break fast session with peace of mind.
If the situation permits, try to find a nearby petrol station or rest area to stop when you are 15 to 20 minutes away from the time to break your fast. This allows you to rest, enjoy your snack, and regain your strength to continue your journey.
Get Drinks in a Proper Container
A drink to quench your thirst after a whole day of fasting is a must, but drinking while driving could distract you from focusing on the road ahead. Imagine going through a pothole and spilling your drink everywhere in the car, that would be a disaster.
It is better to get a drink in a small container with an easy to open lid that you can handle with one hand and can fit in your cup holders. This way, you can keep your eyes on the road and you can also enjoy your drink without having to worry about spills.
Avoid Foods That Require Utensils to Eat
Since you have to drive, there’s no way you’ll be able to properly eat foods that require utensils. This includes food like soups, rice, and noodles – plus soups are easy to spill, and you wouldn’t want to deal with that mess. While chocolate seems like a great snack to break your fast within the car, your hands will be stained and it will leave smears everywhere, which will take away your focus when driving.
Instead, go for simple foods that will not drip, smear, and burn you that can be handled with one hand. A simple burger or sandwich should suffice, or maybe some nuts and dried fruits. What’s important is that it should give you enough energy to continue your drive home.
There are a lot of things you can do to make breaking your fast easier, even when you’re stuck in traffic. These simple tips can also be helpful when you’re out on a balik kampung trip or on a long drive for a holiday trip. Not to mention, a quality car that runs properly is also key to making sure you will be able to arrive home safely in time to break your fast.
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