Studies show that if you’ve been awake for 18 hours, it’s the same as driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%.
If you’ve been up for 24 hours? That’s like driving with a BAC of 0.10%, which is over the legal limit in most states.
Accidents caused by a fatigued car driver are so rampant these days. Back in 2017, there were 91,000 crashes caused by drowsy driving in the US alone; unfortunately, that number has skyrocketed in recent years.
You already face the risk of getting into an accident because of another person’s recklessness; it’s not a good idea to let yourself be a risk too. Here are handy tips to avoid fatigue as a car driver.
Get Enough Sleep Before You Drive
You need a solid 7 to 9 hours of sleep before you hit the road, especially for longer drives. If you’re running on just a few hours of sleep, you’re way more likely to zone out or even doze off while driving. And that’s a recipe for disaster.
Get the sleep you need before you even think about getting behind the wheel. If you’ve got a long trip ahead, plan for it. That means no staying up binge-watching your favorite show the night before, no matter how tempting it might be.
Take Breaks, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
A good rule is to stop every two hours for at least 15 minutes. Get out of the car, stretch, walk around, and grab some fresh air. It’s not just your body that needs a break—your brain needs it too.
Even if you’re feeling fine, stopping for a few minutes can help keep you fresh. Sitting in the same position for hours can make you stiff and groggy, so giving yourself a chance to move around does wonders.
Use the Buddy System
If you’re on a road trip with someone else, you can take advantage of the buddy system. It’s not just about switching drivers, it’s also about keeping each other alert.
The both of you can talk, play games, listen to music, or listen to podcasts together. Having someone to chat with keeps your brain engaged, and if you start to feel drowsy, they can help you stay awake or take over the driving.
Have Power Naps Every Now and Then
If you’re starting to feel drowsy and you can’t shake it, a power nap might be exactly what you need. Even a 15- to 20-minute nap can help recharge your batteries and make a world of difference.
Find a safe place to pull over, set an alarm, and just close your eyes for a bit. When you wake up, you’ll feel much more alert and ready to go.
Drive During Your Best Hours
If you know you’re not a morning person, don’t plan a drive that starts at 5 a.m. Similarly, if you’re someone who gets sleepy in the afternoon, try to avoid driving during that time. Everyone has different times of day when they’re at their most alert, so play to your strengths.
Our body’s circadian rhythm naturally makes us more tired between midnight and 6 a.m., as well as in the afternoon around 1 to 3 p.m. So, if you can, avoid driving during those hours, especially on longer trips.
Avoid Medications That Cause Drowsiness
This one’s important: always check the labels on any medication you’re taking before getting behind the wheel. Lots of over-the-counter medicines, like cold and allergy pills, can cause drowsiness.
Even if you don’t feel sleepy right away, the effects can sneak up on you after a while, which is the last thing you want when you’re on the road.
If you’re unsure whether a medication will affect your driving, it’s better to play it safe. You don’t want to find out the hard way that your allergy pills make you nod off at the wheel.
Conclusion
Fatigue might be one of the most underestimated dangers on the road, but with a little preparation and awareness, you can keep yourself and everyone else alert and safe.
The tips mentioned in this article deliver. Make sure you make the most of them during your road trips.