1/17/2024 0 Comments Stay awake while driving![]() Instead of trying to keep yourself awake until you reach your destination, pull over at the next rest area or at a brightly lit truck stop and get in a 20-minute nap before continuing. Even if you don’t fall asleep again, you are likely at a point where you can’t pay close enough attention to the road to recognize dangerous situations (like a car slowing down in front of you, a sharp turn ahead, or an animal running across the road) or to safely respond in time. If you catch yourself dozing off, even for only a second, pull over as soon as possible!Īt this point, the usual methods will NOT be enough to keep you awake or alert long enough to get to your destination safely. ![]() What to Do If You Catch Yourself Falling Asleep While DrivingĪccording to a CDC study, one in 25 adult drivers admitted to having fallen asleep while driving at least once in the past 30 days. Studies show that chewing gum, especially mint gum, can actually stimulate the nervous system, keeping you alert and even preventing you from yawning. Instead, choose high energy foods like trail mix blends with lots of seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. Fast food and salty packaged snack food like most people take on road trips can make you feel drowsy after eating or cause a sugar crash. Dehydration is a frequent cause of low energy and “brain fog,” so staying hydrated could help keep you awake and alert on drives after dark. If the caffeine wears off (usually within 5 hours) before your trip is over, you may experience a caffeine crash and end up even more tired than before. You should also take into consideration how long you will be behind the wheel. Even just a 20-minute workout (as simple as a walk) can increase your heart rate and blood flow to your brain, helping keep you awake and alert. If possible, get some exercise before getting behind the wheel.If you are planning to go out to a bar with friends and know you won’t be home until after dark, make alternate plans to get home. ![]() Drinking and driving is already a bad plan, but alcohol is also a sedative, and makes you sleepy after drinking. Getting less than six hours of sleep dramatically increases your risk of falling asleep while driving. If you didn’t get a full night’s sleep, try to get in a 20-minute nap before leaving. Teenagers need eight to 10 hours a night. Plan to get at least seven to nine hours. Most methods of avoiding drowsiness when driving at night need some preparation beforehand, but there’s a few you can take if drowsiness catches you unaware. ![]() Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. Most people have felt drowsy behind the wheel at some point while driving after dark, and many have resorted to opening the windows or slapping or pinching themselves to try to shock themselves back awake. Drifting in your lane or running over the rumble strip.Difficulty concentrating-i.e., you might miss your exit or have trouble remembering the last few miles you drove.Difficulty keeping your head upright or eyes open.That’s why it is so important to know how to recognize the signs in yourself. Warning Signs That You’re Too Drowsy to Drive Safelyĭriving while tired can cause many of the same impairments as driving while drunk. WATCH: Gary Bruce discusses driving while drowsy. The brain starts releasing chemicals that cause drowsiness when the sun goes down to let the body know it’s time to sleep, which is a big problem when the sun goes down at 5:30 pm! Many people prefer to avoid driving at night not only because it’s harder to see, but because it can make you more tired. Some commuters may find themselves driving both to and from work each day in darkness. It especially becomes a problem in the fall and winter months as the days get shorter and the sun goes down earlier and earlier. It affects many types of people, including late shift workers, commercial truck drivers, people with sleep disorders, and people who are just staying out late. Drowsy driving is a serious cause of car accidents.
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