Driving Safety Tips: How to Combat Sleepiness While Driving
Drowsiness is perhaps one of the worst enemies of car drivers. In fact, a recent study suggests that people who sleep fewer than seven of the past 24 hours have a higher risk of being involved in a car crash.
While it can be pretty difficult to determine the number of fatalities in the road caused by a driver’s sleepiness in the Philippines, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States have reported that more than 6,000 deaths are being recorded every year accounting from those car accidents that happened because of a weary driver. These figures can be quite alarming indeed.
So, if you regularly roam the streets with that trusty vehicle of yours, accidents can still happen at any given moment. That’s why it is important to stay alert at all times especially when driving. If your alertness is hampered by feelings of sleepiness, you might want to take a look at these tips that will surely help you battle this kind of dangerous dilemma:
Know and understand the symptoms of sleepiness
The first step in overcoming or even preventing sleepiness when driving is by acknowledging all the signs associated with it. Being knowledgeable about these symptoms will definitely help you come up with an accurate assessment of your current condition especially when you are about to drive your car.
Some of these signs are:
- Frequent yawning
- Difficulty keeping your head up
- Trouble focusing
- Heavy eyelids
- Hard time on keeping attention while on the road
If you’re experiencing even one of these indicators, you might want to reconsider having a nap for a while.
Take adequate hours of sleep
An average adult needs about seven to nine hours of sleep in order to be alert and energized for the next day. Having enough hours of sleep will significantly decrease the chances for you to feel so tired when driving.
Bonus tip: Have at least a twenty-minute nap before hitting the road for better results.
Opening the car window
This is a simple trick to keep your mind up and going since your face constantly comes in contact with the breezing wind as well as the noise from the outside. Just keep a tab on doing this when driving and do not do it when staying in dark and isolated places for long periods of time.
Chewing a gum
Usually done by most taxi drivers, chewing a piece of gum will keep your jaw a lot busier hence improving your ability to focus and stay awake.
Avoiding alcoholic beverages before driving
Getting drunk makes you dizzy and the strong urge to lie down and sleep. So, it’s best for you to avoid drinking liquor especially when you are the one responsible for driving your colleagues, friends or family members home. If you’re already drunk, do not drive. Stop compromising other people’s safety.
Drinking caffeine
Consuming coffee has a lot of benefits, including enhanced productivity and ability to focus. These can be very handy when you’re starting to feel the symptoms of drowsiness mentioned above. Try stopping to a nearby convenience store for a while and have a cup of coffee. But remember, take everything in moderation as excessive caffeine intake can bring detrimental effects to the body.
Having a companion
If possible, have someone to join you when driving. You can take turns with that person in case you’re already tired.
Sources:
- https://www.wikihow.com/Stay-Awake-when-Driving
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/excessive-sleepiness/safety/how-stay-awake-road-tips-combat-drowsy-driving
- https://business.inquirer.net/142773/lack-of-sleep-a-public-health-epidemic
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180918082041.htm
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/excessive-sleepiness/safety/how-stay-awake-road-tips-combat-drowsy-driving
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/sleep-needs-get-the-sleep-you-need.htm/
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