Don’t Fall Asleep at the Wheel
Of the over 100,000 traffic accidents a year caused by sleepy drivers, not one of the drivers thought it could ever happen to them. In fact, some of them may have believed so intensely in their own driving abilities that they may have said, “Driving is so easy you can do it in your sleep.” No, you can’t. And while almost 37% of drivers admit to falling asleep at least once, you don’t have to fall sound asleep to be a menace on the road. Just being drowsy is enough to make you impaired. With over half of over population saying they are sleep deprived, the implications are frightening. . The results can be deadly.
In our busy lives, people try to do too much and that includes driving when they’re tired. Midnight to 6 a.m. when the body is normally asleep is the most common time for drivers to fall asleep, but it can happen anytime especially on long, monotonous stretches of highway. With our brains on overload from busy work schedules and technological overload, the haven of a warm car and a relaxing seat can put you to sleep. Here are some tips to avoid having it happen to you.
1. Sleep. There are lots of tricks for keeping the mind and body alert but nothing refreshes like sleep. Driving long distances with a partner to share the duties is good sense, but if you must go it alone, be alert to the danger signs of being tired. If you’re really drowsy, simply pull over into a safe spot and take a 20 minute nap. Set your cell phone to wake you up. If you’re still tired, maybe it’s time to call it a night and get a motel room. No rush is worth your life.
2. Don’t get too comfortable. A slightly open window will provide you with refreshing air. Turn off your cruise control so that you’re forced to be more involved in the driving process. Cars don’t run on auto pilot. Move your legs around. Do isometric exercises like clenching and unclenching your buttocks. Breathe deeply, sending vital oxygen to your brain. Stop and walk around for a few minutes every hour or two.
3. Drink and eat small amounts while you drive. Coffee, although it takes about 30 minutes to kick in, can make you more alert. Ice water is refreshing. Of course, alcohol is a no-no, and it’s illegal. Caffeinated sodas can also give you a jolt. Small nibbles like grapes, cheese and crackers, or carrot sticks can wake up your system. Don’t eat them all at once. Instead spread each bite out over a period of time. If you play a game by eating one grape every 10 miles, you’ll engage your brain in calculating mileage as well as rev up your metabolism with nutritious food. Be cautious of eating candy bars though as sugar can also make you sleepy.
4. Tune in. Listen to the radio. Lively music that encourages you to sing along is good. Engaging, argumentative talk radio will also keep your brain awake especially if you talk back – “that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard” or “that makes sense.” Don’t keep your opinions to yourself; instead voice them aloud in the car. If you have a problem you’re working on at work, talk it through as though you’re giving a presentation. Describe the parts that are stumbling blocks and examine possible solutions.
5. Time your driving to your circadian rhythms. If you’re not a night person, don’t try to be a night driver. Most people, whether they “do mornings” or not are pretty alert when the sun comes up and they’ve had their morning coffee. Try to do the bulk of your trip in the daylight hours.
6. Pay attention to the dash. It’s been said that European drivers love cars with lots of dials to watch. They’re constantly calculating RPM’s, gas mileage, etc; whereas American drivers like to put the car in cruise control and relax. Don’t. Watching the various dials and doing mental calculations can keep you alert. If you have a car that tells mpg, experiment with raising or lowering your speed one or two miles an hour. Guess what the odometer will read at the next hour. This doesn’t mean that you should take your eyes off the road, but just that your glance should take in the car’s readings and that your brain should amuse itself doing calculations.
7. Divide the segments into smaller segments. Besides rewarding yourself with food every few miles, think of your trip as groups of ten mile increments rather than one long trip. If you know the route well, try to guess where you’ll be in 10 miles, 50 miles, 100 miles.
8. Use a GPS system that talks to you. The map display can be mesmerizing so don’t give it more than a quick glance but the voice of the device is company and reassures you that you’re on the right track.
9. Talk. Most states now require hands free cell phones. While you don’t want to get so wrapped up in a conversation that you don’t pay attention to driving, a quick check in call with friends or family can keep you alert. Better yet, have a family member call you every hour or so to check on your progress.
10. Fear. It’s a good “waker-upper” to imagine the consequences of falling asleep at the wheel. All of us should keep that thought in our minds while driving to make sure we’re on task to the job of driving.
Lastly, if you have any doubts (or your family does) about your ability to drive, get checked out by a physician. Also be aware of the effects of any medication you take as some are contraindications to driving. Traveling by car is one of many blessings of our modern age. Driving with care and alertness will get you safely to your destination and keep the roads safe for others.
