Driving while tired is a real problem. According to a National Sleep Foundation survey, 60% of adult drivers admitted to driving while drowsy in the last year. Thirty-seven percent said they had actually fallen asleep while driving. Of those who admitted to falling asleep while driving, 13% said it happened at least once a month. Four percent of those surveyed said dozing off or being too tired to drive led to an accident or a near accident. Fortunately, there things you can do to battle drowsy driving.
- One of the most important ways to not drive while tired is to get enough sleep. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Teens may need 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours of sleep each night.
- Avoid alcohol, and do not drive while taking medication which might make you tired.
- When driving long distances, travel with a companion, and switch off driving. Your passenger should also stay awake, talking to you and watching for early warning signs of fatigue.
- Be aware of the warning signs of drowsy driving. This includes trouble keeping your head up, drifting into other lanes, yawning repeatedly, difficulty focusing, trouble remembering the last few miles of driving, wandering thoughts, and feelings of restlessness.
- Take a short nap before driving. Fifteen to twenty minutes can be enough to keep you alert, especially if you are only driving a short distance.
- Do not be afraid to pull off the road if you are feeling tired. This is especially important if you are taking a long trip.
- Take frequent breaks on long trips. Every 100 miles or about every 2 hours, get out of your vehicle, and stretch a little. You may even want to get some food and take a short nap.