When Urgency Hits in a Traffic Jam

Urgency can hit at any moment, and it is crucial that you are prepared. This past month, I was stuck in traffic, and I was hit with an intense urge to use the restroom. But because I have been dealing with IBS for many years, I was able to quickly address the situation and avoid a horrible bathroom accident.

Let’s take a look at what I did and how you can plan to do the same in a case like this:

Options you can plan beforehand

If you are ever in a car and experience urgency, you really only have two choices: either use the restroom inside your car or outside. I have two good solutions. The first being having a portable toilet in your car. You can purchase one on Amazon and they are budget friendly.

Have your portable toilet lined with a minimum of two high quality garbage bags, always. This way, in the event of an emergency, you can pull over, hop to the back of your car, and use the toilet.

The second option I have is using the toilet right outside your car or going outside without a toilet.  In order to do this with privacy, of course the area in which you pull over is crucial.

For example, if you are on a highway and you pull over usually it is open field, vacant area or tall wall to provide privacy. This will work to your favor. Once pulled over, open your front passenger door and back passenger door. You have now created a makeshift bathroom stall. Place your portable toilet between both doors or just squat and go. For the situation at hand, this will be your best bet.

Always have an emergency bag with you

I always have in my glove compartment pads, baby wipes and an extra pair of underwear. This way if you ever have to pull over and go while driving, cleaning up afterwards is easy.

Stay calm

Don’t panic. That is the worst thing you can do. Breathe calmly and pull over calmly. I find that the more you get agitated, the more intense your urgency symptoms become. This is completely mental and you have to train yourself to respond this way but it is easily learned with practice.

A last resort option

A last option which I would use as a last resort is to have incontinence pads that you can sit on in your car and you can deal with pick up when you get home.  I have never done this before and that would be an ultimate last option for me, however the incontinence pads are something you can easily keep in your glove compartment.  You can also purchase them on Amazon.

Overall, I find it is most beneficial when you think of the worst scenario possible and have plans in place for those scenarios.  No one wants to have urgency when they are out driving or stuck in traffic but if it happens, having a plan can ease the shock of dealing with such an unwanted situation.

Do you have any plans in place if you were hit with urgency while driving?  If so, share below, we love to hear from you.