Take steps to prevent dozing off at the wheel
11/11/2011
Spending a few extra hours in bed is the best way to avoid falling asleep at the wheel, but there are other ways to achieve this.
One way of arriving at a destination safely is to allow plenty of time for the journey, as this will give the opportunity for stops if necessary, said the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).
It also advised using a buddy system, which involves having someone else in the car who can take over if signs of excessive fatigue should arise.
Anyone who is making a particularly long trip may benefit from taking a 15 to 20-minute nap if they are at risk of falling asleep, followed by a caffeine fix to help keep them awake.
The NSF recommends avoiding alcohol and medication that are likely to lead to drowsiness, as well as driving at times that are normally reserved for sleeping.
Posted by Michael Ewing
