Driving Under the Influence. . . of Drowsiness

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that tiredness and fatigue are major contributors to highway fatalities. Each year, sleepy drivers are involved in more than 100,000 crashes; 40,000 people are injured and 1,550 people die in those crashes.

That might seem a small toll compared with the number of intoxicated drivers, but still, it's a significant number. The fact is, it doesn't take very long to lose control of a car. Just nodding off for a few seconds is enough to cause an accident. Doze for five seconds while driving 55 miles per hour, and your car moves more than 400 feet without you in control.

Signs that drivers may need to stop and rest

• Difficulty focusing or keeping eyes open
• Trouble keeping head up
• Yawning repeatedly
• Wandering, disconnected thoughts, or daydreaming
• Feelings of restlessness and irritability
• Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
• Drifting out of the lane or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
• Missing traffic signs or exits

LifeWay Recommends Need to stay awake while driving? Daily Planet's energetic debut album Hero will keep your ears and mind active with inspired performances and thought-provoking lyrics.

Even if you never drink and drive, you still may be DWI. If you drive when you're tired, you're impaired.

You can't be concentrating on driving safely if you are fighting to stay awake. Here are some tips that can help you to be an alert driver:

Don't drive during the times you usually are asleep. It helps to understand your body's sleep and waking cycle. Most people need about eight hours of sleep each night, and their bodies become accustomed to sleeping – or wanting to sleep – during that block of time. The period between midnight and 7 a.m. is notorious for drowsy-driving accidents. And not surprisingly, many sleepy drivers run into trouble in the middle of the afternoon because of the energy slump that arrives shortly after lunch.

Watch out for medicine that makes you drowsy. Your doctor and pharmacist are good sources of information for this. Check the packaging of the medicine for advisories. Allergy medications, products for coughs and colds, obvious drugs like sedatives, and many others can make you sleepy.

Divide your drive. Know your limits for how long you drive at one time and for one day. Young drivers, especially teenagers, are prone to attempting long hauls. It's harder to stay alert as the hours on the road pile up. Break up the trip into safer segments.

Train a copilot. If you have company for the ride, make that person your copilot, who periodically asks you how you feel during your drive, adjusts the radio, watches out for the rest stops and trades driving duty with you if you feel tired or seem to be having trouble concentrating.

Think about how you feel. You check your speed, odometer, and gas gauge. Consider how the most important feature of the car is doing: the driver. If you are having trouble concentrating, focusing your eyes, or even remembering driving the last few miles then it's time for a rest.

Singing with the radio, slurping coffee, blasting cold air on your face, and other remedies may help you stay alert a bit longer. But don't let these quick fixes mask your tiredness. Follow the cues your body is giving you and get some rest.

Reprinted with permission from Saint Thomas Health Services' Healthy You! Wellness Newsletter.

Share your thoughts with other readers:  Post Comments   Rate this Article