Prevention of Sleepy Driving By Brenda Williams At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

While there are many hazardous conditions that we cannot avoid, driving while drowsy or sleepy is not one of them. Getting behind the wheel of your automobile when you're in this condition is just plain stupid. While the public is made quite aware of the hazards of drinking and driving, driving while sleepy is just as dangerous. Drowsiness presents many of the same challenges as being drunk does, decreased awareness, slower reaction times and impaired judgment are common in both of these conditions.

Unlike drunk driving, there is no real test to attribute an accident to driving while sleepy. To an officer arriving on the scene, the driver will seem normal and in control. The sheer nature of the accident will wake them up and make them alert, appearing that it was just that an accident. Authorities have little training in this, therefore is up to the driver themselves to prevent this hazardous driving conditions.

Each year tens of thousands of accidents are the result of someone falling asleep behind the wheel. About half of them occur from the hours of 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Young men from the ages of 16 to 24 are also likely culprits of this. Everyone needs to understand that like drunk driving, these accidents will result in tragic consequences and quite frequently involve loss of life.

Drivers also need to understand alcohol intensifies drowsiness. While you may not technically be drinking and driving, even one drink could enhance the state of drowsiness that you are in so much as to impair your abilities to react appropriately to hazardous conditions. That being the case, you should avoid alcohol at all costs if you are even slightly fatigued.

When getting behind the wheel, you should always make sure that you were well rested. If you are embarking on a long trip, make sure that you have allocated enough time to get the proper rest needed for your journey. Taking on a 12 hour drive after a full day's work is foolish. You should never take on a long drive in a situation where, you know you're going to be fatigued. This is just asking for trouble in which you and others in danger.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are already behind the wheel and recognize the symptoms of drowsiness, there are several things you can do. If you're driving by yourself, pull over and take a short nap. 15 to 20 minutes should be enough to bring your alertness back. If that is not an option, simply grab a cup of coffee and give yourself a chance to wake up. If you have a passenger with you, let them take over the driving for a little while until you are rested. The myths of opening up the car windows or blasting the radio are merely that, myths. These are not proven methods as the prevention of sleepy driving and should not be used. The bottom line is, if you are too tired, don’t get behind the wheel. It’s not worth it.

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