Drowsy driving can put you and those around you at risk; thus, this post by Schell Distributing Inc. in Idaho Falls shares how to avoid falling asleep at the wheel, as well as drowsiness causes and signs.

Drowsy driving can happen to anyone. During long road trips, due to working hours behind the wheel, or when driving at night. Symptoms of fatigue can be subtle and masked with one, two, or three cups of coffee; however, the stimulating effects of caffeine can be brief and unreliable; therefore, it's essential to recognize and manage drowsy driving effectively and safely. To better understand the dangers of drowsy driving, it is important to note that the most recent estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration listed 697 fatalities during 2019 due to drowsy driving-related road crashes. Considering how dangerous drowsy driving is, it is important to learn how to recognize its underlying causes, its main symptoms, and above all, efficient preventive measures to avoid drowsiness while driving; to do so, keep reading this post by Schell Distributing Inc.

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Common Causes of Drowsy Driving

A key step in preventing drowsiness at the wheel is learning about the factors that can trigger fatigue while driving; therefore, here are some of the leading causes associated with drowsy driving:

• Lack of sleep: Despite the importance of sleeping at least 7 hours every night, some circumstances can make sleeping a challenge; for example, having a newborn baby that wakes up several times at night, bad sleeping habits, working and studying simultaneously, or sleep disorders. Regardless, it's necessary to point out that too little sleep can affect cognitive functions essential for safe driving, such as concentration, judgment, response time, alertness, and other skills.
• Alcohol: It is well known that alcohol and driving should never mix. In this regard, it is worth noting that alcohol promotes sleep; therefore, drinking before driving can impair your alertness, coordination, reaction time, visual perception, among other cognitive skills essential for driving.
• Medication: Another important factor to consider when preventing drowsiness at the wheel is determining if your medications cause sleepiness; after all, some prescription and over-the-counter drugs may contain sedatives, so their side effects can include lethargy, dizziness, and even impaired judgment and attention.
• Taking the wheel at night: Did you know that drowsy driving accidents occur most frequently between midnight and 6 am? It may come as no surprise considering that the body produces melatonin (the hormone that stimulates the sensation of sleep) at night; hence, the chances of falling asleep at the wheel increase when driving at the peak sleepiness periods.

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Watch Out for Signs of Drowsiness

Since drowsiness undoubtedly compromises your alertness and reaction times, fatigued driving can put you and those around you at risk. If you have a long drive ahead of you, watch out for the signs of drowsiness listed below:

• Sudden yawning.
• Feeling of heaviness in the eyelids.
• Impaired concentration.
• Difficulty keeping head upright.
• Erratic thoughts (daydreaming).
• Overlooking exits or traffic signs.
• Drifting out of the lane.

Some of the symptoms of drowsiness are pretty insidious and may seem insignificant; however, it is important to take them seriously as soon as they appear to act accordingly and thus, avoid falling asleep at the wheel.

Tips to Avoid Drowsy Driving

Every time you take the wheel, be sure to practice the following preventive measures to avoid drowsy driving and stay safe on the road:

• The best thing you can do to avoid drowsy driving is to get at least 7 hours of sleep before driving for long hours.
• Take a break every two hours to walk, stretch, and hydrate yourself when driving long distances.
• Avoid traveling alone; it's better to have a travel companion to share the driving.
• Avoid driving at night.
• Never drive under the influence.
• If you suffer from a sleep disorder, consult your doctor to find a proper treatment so that you can drive safely.

How to Counteract Drowsiness at the Wheel

If you become tired behind the wheel, stop your vehicle at a rest area, a parking lot, or the first safe place you find. If you are carrying caffeinated beverages or coffee, be sure to drink them (at least 200 milligrams) and get at least 20 minutes of sleep. Doing this will help eliminate symptoms of drowsiness to keep you safe for the rest of the trip.

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