How to Prevent Sleeping While Driving
Everyone has felt fatigue while driving a vehicle. It can happen on long trips or during a short driving stint home after a hard day at work. Although drowsiness at the wheel can be unintentional, it sneaks up on us without our realization. Falling asleep at the wheel causes accidents and injury, sometimes death. Sleep-induced accidents while driving can be particularly serious when the vehicle has multiple passengers. A vehicle driver must recognize the symptoms of exhaustion and fatigue and prevent sleep before it causes risk to himself, passengers or others on the road.
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Instructions
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Pull over at a convenience store at the first signs of drowsiness, especially when you have trouble keeping your head erect or begin shutting your eyes. Drink a full cup of coffee and wait at least 30 minutes for the caffeine to take effect before starting off again. Purchase and chew gum after consuming the coffee. The gum flavor will help alert your senses, especially if it's spicy.
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Turn on the radio and listen to an upbeat song, something you can sing along with. Boost the volume, feel the rhythm, pay attention to the lyrics to distract yourself. Search for songs that have something dynamic and powerful about them, something that raises senses and awareness. Audiobooks work even better, since you must listen to dialogue and narrative to follow the plotline of the story.
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Pull over at a rest stop. Lock your doors and recline back in your seat for a 30-minute-or-more nap. If your schedule permits, sleep for several hours until fully refreshed. Wait until you are fully awake before continuing on. Take a brisk walk around the rest stop. Wash your face with cold water in the rest stop restroom.
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Roll down your windows and let the air revitalize you. Cooler air will heighten your senses, since it makes you uncomfortable. Avoid using the car heater; the heated air will increase your grogginess.
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Keep your vehicle at least three car lengths or more behind lead traffic. This will give you some reaction time in case you do temporarily nod off. When sleepy, avoid using cruise control. Using cruise control encourages you to reposition your feet for comfort, and you do not want to encourage a more convenient resting position. Sit up straight and keep your eyes moving on traffic from all sides.
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Play road games with yourself, if driving alone. Try to read road signs and license plates. Try to guess the makes and years of cars or trucks you encounter. Initiate conversation if you have passengers. Talk about a stimulating subject, something that arouses mystery, intrigue or curiosity. Play riddle or guessing games and award each other points for correct answers.
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Pull over to the shoulder, a safe distance from oncoming traffic. Exit the vehicle and take a very brisk walk or jog. The increased oxygen to the lungs will improve circulation and aid with mental alertness. Any form of calisthenics will help, like deep knee bends, push-ups or body twists.
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Tips & Warnings
Some stay-awake devices are sold that resemble a Bluetooth device. They alert you when your head changes position with a siren sound from the earpiece.
References
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