6 Tips to Fight Against Sleepiness When Driving

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You may have heard about the danger of driving a car or riding a motorbike under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Driving while drunk can even take you to a detention cell. However, there is still one more thing that is no less dangerous, which is driving when drowsy. This has often been experienced by many people. In cases that are quite extreme, drowsiness when driving a car or riding a motorbike can cause accidents that lead to death.

Data collected by the National Sleep Foundation in the United States records that there are around 100,000 cases of accidents caused by sleepy drivers on the road each year. You can avoid similar things happening to you or your loved ones because you are tired or sleepy while driving. Look carefully at various tips to fight sleepiness when driving the following car or motorcycle.

READ ALSO: Beware of Microsleep Dangers, Short Sleepiness for a Few Seconds

Signs that you can't drive a vehicle

Even though you already know the dangers of driving while holding sleep, sometimes you think that drowsiness can still be held. Sleepiness can also appear suddenly when you drive. Or you are in a hurry and finally decide to drive even though you are half conscious. It is difficult to distinguish between drowsiness and fatigue that you can fight and which ones are truly irresistible. Usually you only know the difference if you lose consciousness and fall asleep behind the wheel for a few seconds. So, pay attention to various signs that you cannot continue driving and drive again below.

  • The eyelids feel so heavy that you often blink slowly
  • Difficult to concentrate
  • Bengong, mind drifts everywhere, or empty mind
  • Kebablasan, misplaced, forgot where he was, and did not pay attention to road signs
  • Yawn repeatedly or rub your eyes
  • Sleepy head
  • The vehicle deviates from the lane, grazes the shoulder of the road or other vehicle, drives at an unnatural speed (faster or slower), and loses balance (if riding a motorcycle)

READ ALSO: 9 Signs Your Body Needs More Sleep

Fight sleepy when driving a car or riding a motorbike

If you have experienced one or more of the signs above, that means you are already beyond the ability to drive a car or ride a motorcycle. Maybe the first thing you do to get rid of sleepiness is to tune the radio or music out loud. However, it turns out this ancient way is not effective against fighting sleep when driving. Here is a powerful tips to drive sleep while driving a car or riding a motorbike.

1. Drink coffee

If your eyes and body are really tired, you need caffeine to help maintain awareness. One of the biggest sources of caffeine is coffee. However, coffee takes about half an hour before the effect is felt. In addition, just a cup of coffee may not be enough for people who consume coffee daily.

READ ALSO: How Many Times Have Coffee in a Day That Is Still Considered Healthy?

2. Pull over and take a nap (for the driver of the car)

If the effect of coffee hasn't been felt, the best way to fight drowsiness is to take a nap. Pull over and sleep for about 15 minutes. Remember, it is better to spend 15-20 minutes to take a nap than to force yourself to keep driving at great risk.

3. Pull over and stretch (for motorists)

Usually irresistible drowsiness arises when you ride a motorcycle on a road that is quite quiet in friendly weather. So, immediately pull over for a moment and get off the motorbike. Stretch the muscles and walk for about 10 minutes. Moving actively can help the mind stay awake.

4. Don't take medication and alcohol before or when driving

Taking drugs and alcohol can affect your concentration and alertness. Avoid taking anti-motion medication, anti-colds, or other drugs with drowsy side effects before or when driving. Because, you will feel very sleepy. If you really need to take certain medications that your doctor prescribes, you should not drive a car or drive a motorbike at all.

5. Rest every two hours

The attack of sleepiness while driving or riding a motorbike on a long trip is very reasonable. To prevent this, you should rest every two hours to stretch your muscles or take a nap. If you are forced to drive continuously without pause, your body and eyes actually become tired and feel heavy. So, even if you are not drowsy or tired, try to keep resting every few hours.

6. Ask to be accompanied while driving

If you lack sleep, lack of rest, or are very tired, avoid driving alone. Especially if the distance is quite far. Invite a friend or family member who can accompany you along the way. That way, you can chat with him if you start to get sleepy. He can also be a 'cop' if you have started to lose your alertness, sleepiness, or almost fall asleep. It would be better if the person who accompanied you was willing to take turns driving.

6 Tips to Fight Against Sleepiness When Driving
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