Driving Drowsy
Driving without the adequate amount of sleep is not only extremely dangerous to yourself, but you also put all other drivers on the road in jeopardy.
Truck drivers are amongst some of the most sleep deprived shift workers. The legal limit for driving time for commercial drivers is 10 hours at a time. Because of the high stress level and irregular schedule of the profession, commercial drivers should make an effort to get a good night’s sleep on a comfortable mattress as well as stay up to date on all trucking industry info to ensure a decent amount of time in bed.
Risk Factors
- Alcohol is a major risk factor in driving. One drink on six hours of sleep is the equivalent to six drinks on eight hours of sleep.
- Driving alone is dangerous because it puts all driving on one person and makes car rides more monotonous.
- Monotonous roads make it difficult to stay engaged in driving and can “hypnotize” the driver.
- Excessive work hours can cause individuals to be extremely deprived of sleep, making driving a very dangerous task.
- Untreated sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can cause fragmented sleep and daytime drowsiness. Avoid driving long periods of time while sleep deprived. Sleep apnea can increase the chances of falling asleep at the wheel 300 to 700 percent.
- Medication that causes drowsiness such as cold or allergy medication can impair alertness and make driving very difficult.
Combating Drowsy Driving
- Regardless of your destination, getting somewhere in a hurry is not worth your or someone else’s life. If feeling drowsy pull off the road at a rest stop or gas station and take a nap. A 15 to 20 minute nap at a well lit buys gas station or rest area is safest, especially if traveling at night.
- Once you have rested your eyes, get some caffeine such as coffee or an energy drink and engage in physical activity such as a brief walk.
- Do not start driving again until you feel refreshed.
Preventing Drowsy Driving
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before you begin a long road trip.
- Do not begin a road trip during the “midday slump” or in the evening.
- Do not plan to drive for more than 10 hours.
- Plan to stay overnight if your trip requires you to drive at night time.
- Plan for traffic and unpredictable delays by allowing extra time for your trip.
- Plan to stop every 100 miles or so at a gas station or rest stop. Be sure to stretch your legs and move around. Be sure to get snacks or drinks at stops to keep energized.
- Plan to drive with someone else. Sharing the driving can take a lot of the stress off the driver and make the drive less monotonous.
- Drive during times you are usually awake. Darkness triggers melatonin production in the brain which can cause drowsiness.
- Make the car environment somewhat uncomfortable. Keep the air cool and the music louder and more upbeat. Soft music can lull you to sleep.
- Do not drive if you have untreated sleep disorders.
Most people underestimate the power sleep deprivation can have on their ability to drive and attempt to simply drive through or speed up to get to our destination quicker. (I know I’m guilty of this). With driving being as unpredictable as it is because of other drivers, weather and car functions, any lack in alertness can contribute to potentially fatal accidents.
Driving drowsy is a very serious problem in America resulting in an estimated 100,000 police-reported crashes, 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than $1.2 billion in monetary losses.
Bibliography:
1. Maas, Dr. James B., Megan L. Wherry, David J Axelrod, Barbara R. Hogan, and Jennifer A. Blumin. Power Sleep: The Revolutionary Program That Prepares Your Mind for Peak Performance. New York : Villard, 1998.
2. The American Automobile Association’s Foundation for Traffic Safety—Drowsy Driving FAQ’s; http://www.aaafoundation.org/resources/index.cfm?button=drowsyfaq
3. National Sleep Foundation—Drowsy Driving Prevention Video; http://www.sleepfoundation.org/video/heads-the-wheel-drowsy-driving-prevention
My husband always turns on the cold air whenever we take a long trip, even in cold weather…after complaining many times, I finally just keep a blanket in the trunk just for me- what people in other cars must think, lol
Really wish people would not text and drive too! Everyday I see people doing it, really makes me mad.. this is another issue, driving tired. Too easy to fall asleep at the wheel when tired. Not a good idea. Thank you for all the great tips in this article!
I don’t wake up drowsy anymore since I got my Bed in a Box Mattress, I could only imagine how much better it would be with your pillows. Thanks!
I used to ride with my mom and have to wake her up constantly. Definitely a scary thing to be in a car with a sleepy driver. (Turns out she had sleep apnea). These are great guidelines.
Worked the 3rd shift and can totally relate to driving drowsy. I felt that sometimes I was on automatic pilot. Drank a lot of coffee those days, unfortunately I had trouble getting to sleep during the day.
wow i hardly ever drive at night. but it could happen during the day. its scary.. friend of mine was confined to a wheelchair after falling asleep driving..hit a tree
wow. I didn’t realize how bad driving drowsy really was.
The frequent stops definitely a must!
yeah you should never drive when sleepy
Great article!
I worry about my husband driving home from work. He gets by on so little sleep and this is exactly what I worry about. I am showing him this article with the hope he might take heed. Thank you so much.
good advice
useful tips!
I have never driven when I’m tired. So dangerous! Thank you for the article!
The company I work for has made it a point to raise awareness of drowsy driving after we had an accident with a truck heading back to the office at the end of a long work day. Everyone has had that experience of feeling tired and then a couple seconds later not having any idea what just happened. That split second of unawareness can change many lives forever. Pull over if you’re tired!
I will never forget waking behind the wheel headed for a guardrail. I warn everyone of the problem, thanks for the info.