We’ve all been there. You’re driving your car on a long road trip, or you’re stuck in traffic — and then, nature calls. You’ve got to go pee. While many drivers resort to dangerously speeding ahead to find the nearest bathroom, there are safer alternatives. Here are some tips for what to do if you have to go pee while driving.

Pull your car over to the side of the road to pee

If it’s safe, legal, and convenient, pull your car over to the side of the road to pee. However, don’t pull over to pee if you’re on a major highway. Also, make sure not to expose your “assets” for other people to see. 

If you’re driving out in the country, surrounded by nature, a tree or large bush provides some good cover while you do the deed. This, of course, isn’t an option in a heavily congested area, though. For a discrete alternative, you can open one of the passenger doors and pee, hiding behind it so that you’re shielded from the wandering eyes of others. 

Pee inside your car with a urinal device

If pulling over isn’t feasible, then you can pee inside your car using a urinal device. This is obviously an easier endeavor for men. Also, peeing while a car is in motion is not recommended for safety reasons. However, it can be done, especially if your vehicle has self-driving capabilities, as shown by a Tesla Model 3 that aided the birth of a child with its Autopilot system. 

For men, as detailed by Alternative Daily, options include a basic handheld urinal device with pronounced neck angles for a “confined pee” or one that has a one-way valve and a urine collection bag. A step above a handheld device is a body-worn urinal, similar to the ones used by scuba divers in marine environments. It usually has a collection bag strapped to the calf, with tubing that connects to a male external catheter.

For women, the urinal device options are more limited. Most are basic handheld urinals that enable a woman to pee anywhere. These devices also usually can be used for peeing while standing — and are flexible and spill-proof.

Wear an adult diaper in your car

Another option, especially for those with serious bladder control issues, is to wear an adult diaper. This option is also for drivers that go on a long road trip and don’t want to stop.

As you may recall, there was an infamous incident in 2007 when Lisa Nowak, a diaper-wearing NASA astronaut, was arrested in a love triangle plot. She drove nearly 1,000 miles from Houston to Orlando to confront a love rival. To avoid making stops, she wore a diaper, which is a common practice in space.

DIY urinal devices for peeing in a car: Bottle or Ziplock bag

You can also go the affordable DIY route for peeing in a car. A gallon-sized Ziplock freezer bag provides a large opening for a can’t-miss target. Also, you can use a bottle or jug, but these options are riskier for spillage. However, if you go the bottle or jug route, you can attach a funnel with a flexible and tapered spout to avoid this unfortunate spillage. 

For all of these peeing methods while on the road, being sanitary is key. Before your journey, stock your car with hand sanitizer or hand wipes, as well as paper towels and cleaning supplies to clean up any potential messes.

Enjoy your trip, stay safe, and happy peeing!