Behind the Wheel
Driving While Tired "equals" Asleep Behind the Wheel. Either case a very dangerous situation on any given roadway, be it a side-street, main-drag, highway or super interstate or tollway. I know the ins and outs as it has happened to me times too numerous to contemplate and thankfully never a consequence. As my profession required a good deal of travel much of which took the event of driving in my own vehicle or a rental car. One cannot fathom the amount of manufacturing plants, warehouses, bottling, distribution centers and so on that fell under the purview of my work-a-day world that required endless hours behind the wheel. Needless to say getting there was only one aspect of the travel by motor vehicle. After long hours of work, getting back home, the airport or motel required additional endless hours behind the wheel.
On one such trip I had the bad experience of seeing a fellow driver in an adjacent highway lane nodding off. Knowing full well this is a very dangerous situation I laid on my horn just as the driver was veering into my lane. Alerting the driver who then, thankfully,acknowledged my alert. Sadly, he nodded off again, and in my rear view I saw him roll off the paved surface fully past the rumble strips apparently braking but somewhat too late as he toppled into the ditch between the East and West bound lanes. Also very fortuitous a trooper was traveling in the opposite direction a mile or so ahead, Quickly I flashed my lights and alerted him of the accident just ahead. Negating my need to stop at the exit five miles ahead where I would have gotten aide for this guy, this being a time before cell phones.
I can appreciate the feelings and tumult this person was going through. The reason being the times I mentioned above where I was lucky enough to have dozed and recovered without incident. The shock and sudden awareness that you are hurtling down a four lane or other roadway not knowing how long you have been out can truly be "a rude awakening". The panic that ensues helps to keep you awake with an adrenalin rush, however, this state, this rush, will not maintain an alert enough status to save you. Action must be taken to prevent going off again.
Some actions include but are not exclusive of steps I have found to help. First get off the road as soon as is safely possible. Some places for a nap or wake up can in themselves be dangerous, which is why some states, or localities do not permit parking and getting a well needed respit. Get to a rest stop with a stimulant, coffee or energy drink, most truck stops have over the counter aids. Failing a quick exit do not continue to use a "cruise control" it will maintain a fast highway speed even if you are lucky enough to remove the foot from the accelerator.
Cool air is good; moreso, than warm which is comforting, so open a window on a cool day, jack up the AC on a warm one. Anything soothing or melodic has to be eliminated. So no "easy listening music" get some obnoxius "rap", "rock and roll", or other music on the radio you can't stand.
Try to keep active, shifting in the seat, change lanes often (safely), change speeds and if you are a car guy, like me, and drive a five or six speed manual play a little "speed racer" and change gears often to keep yourself busy. Activity is a MUST.
Driving as part of your occupation can put strains on the DWT condition. Forced to meet schedules, meetings and making that plane or important event stretches ones hours and pushes into a sleep deprived status. As a worker and a manager I found there will always be another plane or hour to reschedule. When my people or myself explain the situation it is almost always understood, dangers of a serious accident may cause a permanent missing of that flight rather than a minor delay. So unless you want to become a premature organ donor take a break and get sleep in a bed and not behind the wheel.
