You’re free to doze off at work (as long as the boss doesn’t see you). You can doze off at the park. You can take a nap pretty much everywhere you’d like except one place: behind the wheel.
Sleeping when driving a vehicle is a recipe for disaster. It doesn’t matter whether the car has start-of-the-art self-driving technology or not. You’ll crash and probably die or sustain severe injuries.
Being tired is the #1 cause of drowsy driving.
If this is an issue that you’re struggling with, read on. We’re sharing tips you can use to stop driving when tired.
1. Plan Your Journey
How often do you take time to plan a route before getting behind the wheel?
If you’re anything like the vast majority of people, you don’t. You just get in your car and drive off.
Well, no one expects you to plan a route if you’re just commuting to work and back or running errands around town. But if you’re going on a long-distance trip, planning can make a big difference.
Planning enables you to determine the correct distance you’ll cover. You’ll be able to identify places to make stops. You will also likely be minded to take enough rest before setting off.
So, next time you’re headed out of town, plan your journey.
2. Pull Over and Nap
Even with intricate planning and adequate resting before a trip, it’s still possible to feel drowsy behind the wheel. Perhaps you have had a really long week, a few hours of rest aren’t going to bring up your energy levels.
If you start feeling drowsy when driving, nothing prevents you from pulling over and take a sweet nap. Sometimes even a 10-minute nap can be enough to recharge your energy substantially.
Just ensure you’re pulling over in a safe place. A safer bet is to try and reach the nearest gas station or highway mall.
3. Understand the Consequences of Drowsy Driving
It’s not that drivers don’t know the consequences of drowsy driving (If you didn’t, browse here for more information). The thing is most drivers ignore these consequences. They believe it won’t happen to them.
Drowsy driving has deadly consequences. Your risk of getting involved in an accident increased tenfold. Taking your mind (or eyes) off the road even for a second is enough to cause big trouble on the road.
4. Drive with a Partner
Solo drives are therapeutic. There’s no doubt about that.
However, if you’re often becoming drowsy when driving, it’s high time you considered driving with a partner, especially when going on a long trip.
And, don’t just bring somebody on board for the company. Let them know that you want them to help you stay alert throughout the entire journey.
It’s a plus if that partner is a licensed driver. You can take turns driving until you arrive at the destination.
Avoid Driving When Tired
Driving when tired isn’t safe, just in case you needed any reminding. Getting into an accident is the obvious risk, but you can also be pulled over by traffic police if they notice you’re driving erratically. Use these tips to say awake and alert when driving.
Keep tabs on our blog for more motoring tips.
