Raver Tip - Caravanning

Okay, it doesn't sound like much... until three carloads of friends get lost in the desert because you just had to cut some guy off. Knowing the rules of a caravan can pay off in a lot of ways. And since a deplorably few people even know there are such rules, I'll attempt to codify them for you here.

Caravanning 101
The first rule of caravanning is staying together. Let's say that you, Bob and Meg are in three different cars and have to get to the same place. You know where you're going, Bob doesn't and Meg has a vague idea. That puts you as the lead car, and Meg should be the tail.

Okay, so, let's go by parts
Lead. The lead car should, of course, have one (and only one) person who KNOWS how to get there, or at least has a map. If you've got two people who know the route, split them up into separate cars to form a tail. The lead car controls the tempo of the trip. If cars behind are lagging, then the lead should slow down, if they're riding the bumper, then the lead can speed up. If other cars move into the caravan's lane between cars, it's best for the lead to slow down to encourage the stranger to find another lane. Also, occasionally, stoplights, bridges, or whatever can cause a temporary break in the caravan. When this happens, the lead car (and any still following) should pull over and wait. If anyone looks at you funny, hold a cell phone to your ear and yell.

Middle. If you're a middle car, it's up to you to stay as legally close to the Lead as possible. Do not ride the bumper unless the caravan is going below the speed limit and you think the lead is waiting for you to catch up. Also, don't lag behind unless your vehicle cannot keep up. When either the front or back person changes lanes, you should also do so immediately, there may be a turn coming up. And if you need to stop, but don't have a cell phone, flash your high beams and turn on a turn signal.

Rear. The rear position is both the shepherd and the linebacker When a long caravan needs to change lanes, the rear car goes first. Since the caravan is usually going slower than surrounding traffic, once the rear car makes it over, they can hold a hole open for the rest. Also, if something unexpected should happen the rear car moves to the front and takes lead of the shorter line (unless a couple of quick cell calls have determined what else to do).

Quick tips:
- Short line, in town, traffic lights. If you see a light about to change as the lead car, slow down and eat the yellow. Better to take a few hits on lights than to split up the caravan. If your line gets broken, pull over and wait.
- Middle car needs gas, no phone. Flash high beams until front car pulls over. Lead should tap brakes to acknowledge high beams.
- Middle car flashes lights, no phone. On a highway, take next exit, in town, pull into a parking lot.
- Long string on highway, other traffic merging and separating caravan. Leader should slow down to encourage merging cars to merge out. If merging cars won't leave AND they further slow down the caravan, middle and rear cars should go around.
- Highway merging, long string. Lead car turns on turn signal, each car turns on signal when they see one in front, rear car merges at earliest convenience then holds the lane open for other cars to merge.
- Long line on highway, time for a break. Take an exit with the greatest variety of options is presented (you know the type: McD, BK, Wendy's, Dennys, all with big signs). Pull into the closest large parking lot, taking right turns. Break up caravan from there, re-merge at another designated spot.
- Cell phones. Cells are more common than ever, but, still a lot of folks don't have them. Try to make sure each car has one phone, and each car has at least the lead car's number.
- Desert roads. Driving behind someone on a dirt road is not only unpleasant, but a little dangerous. the dust kicked up by a car can obscure road hazards, and generate other debris that can take out headlights and windshields. Either go slow enough that dust isn't a problem or separate by several car lengths. Upon separation, each fork or turn should be a pause point, where each car stops for a moment until they're sure the next car can see them take that particular turn.

As the lead car, try to imagine what it's like driving behind you, and what kind of position you'd be in if your leader were to disappear and you didn't have the directions. Often caravanning isn't about directions, it's about company, camaraderie, and safety. One car on a lonely desert road is a target, 12 cars is a party.