#TIPS TO STAY AWAKE WHILE DRIVING DRIVERS#
Make sure to regularly switch drivers if you are traveling with someone While taking a 45-minute detour may seem unappealing, you should remember that it is always better to get to your destination safely than getting to your destination on time. Preferably, you would want to take a short nap when you first start noticing signs of drowsiness - not as a last resort when your driving safety is decreased.
Studies have proven, time and time again that short naps, lasting around 20-minutes in duration, can immensely increase your energy levels and alertness. Mid-trip naps are when you pull over (in a safe location) and take a short nap of around 20-30 minutes, after which you would also wait about 15 more minutes after you wake up to start driving, as you will still be groggy. Another driving tip to help you stay awake is to utilize the mid-trip naps. Taking a longer nap a few hours before you leave on your journey may significantly reduce any tiredness that you have just starting out. Understandably, if you follow this trend you will find yourself having fairly severe fatigue and drowsiness a few hours into your trip. Some people like to start long trips in the afternoon, usually after they have worked a few hours. Take advantage of pre-trip naps and mid-trip naps The energy you get from eating foods high in complex carbs and protein is longer lasting and won’t cause a “crash” like most sugary food does. Once the sugar is digested and then absorbed through the bloodstream, you will “crash” and end up being more irritable and fatigued than before. While you may feel more alert and energized after eating something with a high sugar content, that high and boost of energy is only temporary. Both complex carbohydrates and protein help create long lasting energy that will make fighting off fatigue a much easier battle.Įven though fast food is extremely convenient on long road trips and is equally as delicious, it tends to be high in salt and sugar, both products that can cause drowsiness. Eat a healthy meal before you start drivingĪnother tip for driving safety is to eat a meal that is high in complex carbohydrates (e.g – peas, beans, whole grains, and vegetables) and protein before you start driving, to help you stay awake. Related: Harmful Effects of Staying Up Late 3. This recommendation does not change if you are travelling with someone who will also drive, you should still not drive more than 10 hours in a 24 hour period. Additionally, it is recommended that you drive no more than 10 hours (this is including rest breaks) in one 24 hour period.
#TIPS TO STAY AWAKE WHILE DRIVING FULL#
Getting a full 7-8 hours of sleep before a long road trip is the easiest way to combat drowsiness while driving, along with making sure your body and mind are rested for the long trip ahead. Get an adequate amount of sleep before the drive You are at a considerable risk of falling asleep at the wheel and putting yourself and others in a life-threatening situation. If you are on a long drive and begin to experience any of these four warning signs, along with an overwhelming amount of fatigue, then you must pull over. Lane drifting/ hitting the rumble strips.Can’t remember driving the last few miles – causing you to miss exits or road signs.Frequent blinking along with experiencing “heavy eyelids”.The National Sleep Foundation has listed four warning signs that you are falling asleep at the wheel: Recognizing when you should pull over because of fatigue Drowsiness causes slower reaction times and diminishes the driver’s ability to focus and make good decisions.īecause drowsy driving is so dangerous, here are 12 driving tips that can keep you awake while driving reducing the chance of a fatal or serious accident. Unfortunately, a lot of drivers are not able to recognize how close they are to falling asleep while driving- driving when drowsy is just as dangerous as falling asleep at the wheel. Additionally, the NHTSA believe that 800 deaths is an extremely conservative estimate they believe the actual death toll would be much higher from approximately 6,000 fatal crashes each year. Even scarier, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that there were 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths caused by drowsy driving in 2018. The CDC found that 1 in 25 adults (ages 18 or older) had reported falling asleep while driving within the past 30 days. What people don’t realize, however, is just how common drowsy driving or falling asleep at the wheel is. Everyone knows that falling asleep while driving is extremely dangerous and leads to severe, if not fatal, car accidents every year.
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