Driving when you’re super tired or sleepy definitely impacts your safety and the safety of others. The statistics of “drowsy driving” are startling:
“According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60% of adult drivers – about 168 million people – say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year, and more than one-third, (37% or 103 million people), have actually fallen asleep at the wheel! In fact, of those who have nodded off, 13% say they have done so at least once a month. Four percent – approximately eleven million drivers – admit they have had an accident or near accident because they dozed off or were too tired to drive.” – According to DrowsyDriving.org.
Some tips to help combat “driving while drowsy” and to help ensure safety when you’re on the road are;
- Get adequate rest before a road trip.
- Try to stop about every two hours – get out of the car, walk around, stretch, get some fresh air.
- Drink something that has caffeine in it.
- Try to have a companion take the road trip with you so that you have someone to keep the conversation going — and keep you awake!
- Turn the air conditioning a little higher and direct it to your lower face or neck (avoid air directed straight at your eyes).
Never, ever drink alcohol and drive, and be sure to use extra caution when taking any type of medication. Read medication labels and warnings and know how a certain medication affects you before getting behind the wheel.
Be safe!
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