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Staying Awake On The Road | |
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COOL TRAVEL MAIL'S
TRAVEL TIPS
Tips & Advice for the Seasoned and Armchair Traveler Alike!
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http://www.CoolTravelMail.com
May 6, 2008
I used to have a serious sleep walking problem.
Not only would I walk in my sleep, but I would eat, carry on
conversations, turn on the television and try to use the
telephone.
The one thing I never did while I was asleep was drive a
car.
Well, at least not while I was completely asleep.
This week's topics include:
* STAYING AWAKE WHILE DRIVING
* CAFFEINE IS MY COPILOT
* SCREAM, SING AND STRETCH
P.S. If you're interested you can now post comments on this
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STAYING AWAKE WHILE DRIVING
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During our recent pile-the-kids-in-the-car-and-head-south
family vacation, I spent long hours behind the wheel. At one
point, when my wife noticed I was getting tired, we pulled
off the highway and booked a room at a Holiday Inn.
That was smart. But I'll admit I haven't always been that
willing to listen to reason.
Neither have a lot of other people.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
estimates that fatigued drivers contribute to approximately
100,000 highway crashes, causing 71,000 injuries and 1,500
deaths each year.
Sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, and
impairs judgment. In other words, except for your blood
alcohol level, you suffer from the same dangerous symptoms
as a drunk driver.
The Natal Sleep Foundation reports that sleepy drivers are
more tense and impatient and may even be driving faster when
they should really be stopping to rest. I can attest to that
from personal experience.
I have also experienced what experts call "micro-sleeps"—
brief naps that last only four or five seconds. At 55 miles
an hour, you can travel more than 100 yards while you're
taking that five-second nap.
Obviously none of this is good. So what do you do when you
find your eyelids getting heavy when you’re behind the
wheel? Here are some tips:
* Sleep BEFORE you drive
Sleep experts say you need at least eight hours of sleep a
night in order to function properly, yet a full third of
American adults sleep six hours or less nightly during the
work week. I believe them because I fall into that
delinquent sleeper category.
Since getting a full eight hours nightly isn't possible, I
make sure to at least get that much shut eye the night
before I drive.
* Heed the telltale yawn
Learn to recognize and pay attention to the warning signs of
fatigue. Take a break if you experience wandering or
disconnected thoughts, yawn repeatedly, have difficulty
focusing or keeping your eyes open. If you find yourself
missing traffic signs or tailgating other drivers, chances
are you need a break.
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CAFFEINE IS MY COPILOT
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* Timing
If you're planning on driving a long distance, drive during
the time of the day when you are normally awake. For most
folks, that's during daylight. I find it's a lot easier to
stay alert when the sun is shining and you can see the world
around you than at night when the universe is just head-
lights, road signs and that white line stretching out in
front of you.
* Bring a co-pilot
If possible, have someone accompany you and talk with that
person while driving. Ideally, it's a person who can split
the driving chores with you, working in shifts of no longer
than four hours each.
A co-pilot is also useful, however, if they cant drive, so
they can keep you stimulated and let you know if you are
showing signs of sleepiness.
* Nap
Experts say the best strategy to cope with fatigue while on
the road - other than get a room for the night - is simply
to pull over in a safe place and take a short nap. However,
according to an NSF's poll done in 2000, only 22 percent of
drivers report doing that.
You'll have to judge your surroundings, but you're probably
safer napping for a half-hour in a locked car pulled over to
the side of the road than you are driving drowsy.
* Caffeine
This is my favorite solution and, apparently, that of most
other drivers. According to he NSF poll, a majority of
sleepy drivers - some 63 percent, look to caffeine for
relief from fatigue.
It works for me, at least for a while, but experts warn that
stimulants like caffeine are no substitute for sleep. While
drinking a cup of coffee or a can of Mountain Dew may help
you feel more alert, the effects are temporary.
* Shake it off
Take a 10- to 15-minute break to exercise, stretch or walk
briskly after every two hours you drive. I call it a
bathroom break and buy another cup of coffee before I hit
the road.
* Snack
Eat regularly to keep blood-sugar levels even, but don't
stuff yourself to the point of drowsiness. Big meals are not
a good idea before long road trips.
Personally, I suggest eating something crunchy to keep
alert. I like Fritos or nuts, but more health-conscious
folks prefer low-fat alternatives such as apples or popcorn.
It is hard to fall asleep while you are chewing something
noisy.
* Sugar
It helps for short bursts of energy, but beware that a sugar
buzz wears off quickly. Some drivers suggest hard candy that
puts sugar into your system over time, like a Tootsie Pop.
Me, I always end up biting them and crunching.
* Talk radio
I find that finding an interesting discussion on talk radio
keeps me more alert than music of any kind. I'm partial to
National Public Radio, but millions of sleepy drivers swear
by Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern and the like.
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SCREAM, SING AND STRETCH
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* Keep your eyes moving
Don't stare at the road or the lines or the edge of the
pavement. Turn your head and keep looking. This also keeps
you aware of the drivers around you!
* Don't drink alcohol
Duh. But even a beer or two with dinner, while not impairing
your judgment, can make you sleepy.
By the way, this advice also pertains to the night before
you drive. Driving hung over is no picnic and can also make
you a danger on the road.
* Choose meds carefully
Avoid medicines that make you drowsy, including
antihistamines, some antidepressants, cold and cough
medications, and some prescription medicines. If the label
warns, "Do not operate heavy machinery," you are being
warned not to drive a car.
* No cruising
If you have it and use it, turn cruise control off and drive
for a while. Nothing puts you to sleep faster than nothing
to do.
* Pump it up
Get your blood flowing. Chewing gum helps, but some folks
find that doing isometric exercises - tensing and releasing
muscles - lets you get a mini-workout without changing
driving positions.
* The scream
Try screaming at the top of your lungs. This will give you
an immediate adrenaline surge. Yes, it sounds strange -
literally. But try it and you'll see.
* Cool it
Keep your car's inside temperature cool. It's hard to fall
asleep when you're cold.
* Sing
Let the music roar from your lungs, either to yourself or to
others in the vehicle. The louder, the better. If you're a
rotten singer, that's even better!
Well, that's it for this week, group. Thanks again for
reading, and please keep those comments, complaints and
questions coming in.
You can send me an e-mail message at: Email Pierce
Until next week, thanks for reading.
Your Tipmeister,
Pierce
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