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Tips to fight driver fatigue

Tired drivers can create dangerous situations for themselves and other drivers on the road, that all too often result in accidents, injuries and sometimes even fatalities.

According to the National Safety Council, 37 percent of drivers have nodded off or fallen asleep at the wheel at least once since they’ve had their license, while 8 percent have done so in the past six months.

Causes of driver fatigue can include alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, dull landscapes, the droning of tires and engines, night driving and the repetitive patterns of oncoming headlights, highway lines, poles and other objects common along roadways. Even the nature of modern highway driving—comfortable seats and interiors, quiet vehicles, temperature controlled environments, and cruise control—can contribute to tired drivers.

Driver fatigue is a very real danger that can affect even the most experienced drivers at any time. These tips can help you stay alert and awake when you’re behind the wheel.

Plan accordingly: Get seven or eight hours of sleep the night before a trip. Don’t start a trip late in the day, and try to avoid long drives at night, as the glare of lights both on your dashboard and outside your car increase the chances of driver hypnosis. If possible, don’t take long trips alone. Passengers can take turns driving and also serve as conversation partners to keep you awake.

In your car: Adjust your car's environment so that it helps you stay awake and alert. Keep the temperature in your car cool, with open windows or air conditioning in the summer and minimal amounts of heat in the winter. Turn the radio volume up. Avoid soft, sleep-inducing music and switch stations frequently. Do not use cruise control; keep your body involved in the driving.

Also pay attention to your posture. Drive with your head up, your shoulders back and your lower back against the seat back. Legs should not be fully extended, but flexed at about a 45 degree angle.

Take breaks: At least every two hours, you should stop at a gas station, restaurant or rest stop. Get out of the car and walk around, or even jog or do calisthenics. In addition to exercise breaks, stop for light meals and snacks.

Don’t fight fatigue: If these or other measures fail and you start noticing the signs of fatigue, there is only one solution. Find a safe, guarded rest area, truck stop or service station and get some sleep. Even a 20-minute nap may refresh you enough to get to a hotel or motel. (This is an emergency maneuver. Do not try it as a common driving technique.)

Source: National Safety Council