What Should I Do To Prevent Drowsy Driving?
If you notice one or more of the symptoms listed above, chances are you are too tired to drive. In such cases, there are steps you can take to ensure that you reach your destination safely. Some of these steps include:
- Take a break. Find a safe place to pull over and take a 15- to 20-minute nap.
- Drink something with caffeine in it to help you stay alert.
- Switch drivers, if you have passengers who are alert and able to drive.
While you should take the measures above to recognize fatigued driving and stop it right away, preventing fatigued driving ultimately starts at home, before the trip starts. Some steps you can take include:
- Get 7-9 hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep every night.
- Seek medical attention for sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and other sleep-related medical conditions.
- Avoid driving during times when you would normally be asleep. For example, if you work the night shift and sleep from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., you should avoid driving between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
With thousands of drowsy driving related fatalities and Americans sleeping less and less, it is more important than ever that we raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving.
