How to manage drowsy driving

It is common knowledge that driving while drunk is dangerous, so also is driving when drowsy but many do not consider sleepiness while driving as an act that is equally seriously risky. This is dangerous because like alcohol, sleepiness and fatigue lead to poor judgment and reaction time especially when you doze off.

But there are some steps that can be taken to wade off drowsiness while driving: caffeine provides a mild boost whether in the form of coffee, soft drinks or gum. It increases alertness but it should be noted that it takes about 30 minutes for the effect to kick in and this temporary fix has its limits; caffeine can’t overcome severe fatigue and may have little impact on regular coffee drinkers.

Go with a companion for long trips especially when you are tired. If possible, go with someone who can share in the driving and whoever is not behind the wheel should stay awake and talk to the driver. The passenger can also keep a watchful eye for signs that the driver might be nodding off.

Take a short nap as this has been proved that the most effective way to restore alertness on the road. Park in a safe, well-lit area; set your watch or phone to wake you up in 15 minutes  and ensure  you wake up completely before you get back on the road. Keep it short because longer naps can increase grogginess and disorientation.

Don’t depend on cool air or music to keep you awake because people sleep in cold weather and in noisy areas.

Don’t take heavy food while on a journey and you are driving. Depriving yourself of food is not the answer but you can maintain a steady energy supply by eating a healthy snack at intervals.

Don’t use medication that lists drowsiness as a side effect or warns against operating a motor vehicle.

Even when you are not feeling drowsy, there are signs to know you are battling fatigue and may soon get drowsy; so when you see these signs: frequent blinking or yawning or having trouble keeping your head up, feeling restless or irritable, daydreaming, missing exits or traffic signs or drifting into another lane, then it is time to pull over to rejuvenate.

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