Staying awake on the road

Nov 20, 2020

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Woman falling asleep at the wheel of a car

What to do if you’re tired while driving

For most people, driving is an aspect that they have to do almost every day. While driving is generally a fairly routine procedure, any singular disruption can be detrimental. While most people know that they shouldn’t drive impaired, many drivers will still get behind the wheel when they haven’t had enough sleep. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving, so drivers who feel themselves drifting off while behind the wheel need to take measures to make sure that they will stay safe on the road.

How to tell if you are too tired to drive

While exhaustion can sometimes set in on a long drive, you can also start an excursion too tired. If you’re already on the road, here are some things that can indicate that you are too tired to continue.

Yawning

Wandering focus

Difficulty following the directions

Driving too close to other vehicles

Drifting over the lines

Forgetting the last few miles

[Related: What are the safest Used Vehicles?]

Keeping yourself awake on a trip

If you know that you’re too tired to drive, it is safer to avoid getting behind the wheel, and instead, take a short nap to rejuvenate yourself before driving. When you find yourself getting drowsy behind the wheel, pull over to the side of the road or into a rest area, and take a fifteen or twenty-minute nap. This should help you gain some energy to finish your drive.

Eating or drinking can be a great way to help you stay awake when you’re unable to pull over, though going overboard can make staying alert harder. It is recommended that you eat something with around 100 calories to avoid the fatigue that can set in after overeating. You can also drink something that has caffeine, like coffee or an energy drink.

There are some vehicles that include systems that provide a warning if a driver is driving erratically. Find a used model with the safety features that you want at one of the five OkCarz locations. For more information and tips and trick for driving safety, take a look at the OkCarz blog.