With all of this cold winter weather, you’re probably finding it more and more difficult to get out of your warm bed and head to work each day. For some reason, this weather just seems to make you tired but that can actually make driving more dangerous. In fact, some studies suggest that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
According to AAA, two out of five drivers admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel at some point. Additionally, drowsy driving accidents are more likely to occur late at night (11 pm-7 am) on Saturdays and Sundays. To help combat this issue, AAA offers these tips:
- Get at least six hours of sleep the night before a long trip
- Plan to stop somewhere overnight, rather than drive straight through
- Have caffeine, but keep in mind it can take 20-30 minutes to enter your bloodstream
- Try travelling with a passenger
- Avoid driving during times that you are normally asleep
- Avoid alcohol and medications that make your drowsy
- Recognize the symptoms of drowsy driving and pull to a rest stop if you are exhibiting them
Symptoms of Drowsy Driving
Some symptoms of fatigue often mimic symptoms of drunk driving. They include drifting between lanes, having a hard time focusing, feeling irritable, and having wandering thoughts. Additionally, you could be too drowsy to drive if you’re having trouble keeping your eyes open, yawning, or missing road signs.
Keep these tips in mind during your next roadtrip and devise a plan to drive safely.
