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Drowsy Driving: How to Stay Alert
Driving during this time can be dangerous and can be very much like driving drunk.
When you’re tired, your mind and body both slow down. Your physical coordination is lessened and reflexes are slowed, while your mind has trouble maintaining focus and reacting to complex situations. Driving during this time can be dangerous and can be very much like driving drunk.
Most people believe they'll know when they've become too tired to continue driving safely. But fatigue can creep up on you. Watch out for these nine warning signs that will tell you it is time to pull over to rest.
- Being unable to remember how far you've traveled or what you've recently passed.
- Bumping the rumble strips on the side of the road or in the lane dividers.
- Daydreaming or having wandering thoughts.
- Drifting out of your lane or off the road.
- Feeling irritable and restless.
- Having trouble keeping your eyes open or your head up.
- Missing signs or driving past your intended exit.
- Tailgating without realizing it.
- Yawning or blinking frequently.
One of the best ways to keep yourself safe on the road is to get plenty of sleep before getting behind the wheel. The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night. A growing teenager needs eight or more.
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In addition to getting sleep, there are factors you can control to help keep you alert:
In addition to getting sleep, there are factors you can control to help keep you alert:
- Try to stay in tune with your body clock. Drive when you are normally most alert. Your body has an internal clock known as its circadian rhythm and it sets itself according to your regular schedule.
- Avoid taking medications that may cause you to become drowsy. Even some over-the-counter medications can dull reaction time and cause drowsiness. Consult with your physician or pharmacist about the possible dangers of any medications you may be taking.
- Take a pre-drive nap to refresh both your body and your mind.
- Bring along a friend to help with the driving. Swap drivers every two hours or 100 miles.
- Don’t rely on caffeine. It may help in the short term, but depending on stimulants to keep you vigilant can lead to micro-naps (where your mind shuts down for four to five seconds at a time). On the highway, that's enough time for you to travel the length of a football field.
- If you can’t stop for an extended rest, find a safe place to pull off the road and take a 20-minute rest.
Only sleep can truly recharge your batteries. Even if you are awake, driving drowsy can significantly impact your reflexes and ability to react while behind the wheel. Following these tips and staying off the road when you are drowsy can prevent dangerous situations.
For information on auto insurance,
please visit our website or
contact Heather Duffy at (732) 256-3420.
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Article courtesy of Selective Insurance.
