Six Tips to Avoid Driver Fatigue

Avoid Driver Fatigue and Always Stay Alert

Being fatigued significantly increases the risk of a crash as it impairs our ability to respond quickly and safely if a dangerous situation arises. Drowsy driving is suspected to be a primary cause in more than 20% of road fatalities. So, we are delivering six tips from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association on how to avoid fatigue driving to stay safe on the road.

Get Enough Sleep Before Getting Behind the Wheel

Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. If possible, do not drive while your body is naturally drowsy, between the hours of 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Skipping meals or eating at irregular times may lead to fatigue and/or food cravings. Also, going to bed with an empty stomach or immediately after a heavy meal can interfere with sleep. A light snack before bed may help you achieve more restful sleep. 

Take a Nap

If possible, you should take a nap when feeling drowsy or less alert. Naps should last a minimum of 10 minutes, but ideally a nap should last up to 45 minutes. Allow at least 15 minutes after waking to fully recover before starting to drive.

Avoid Medication That May Induce Drowsiness

Avoid medications that may make you drowsy if you plan to get behind the wheel. Most drowsiness-inducing medications include a warning label indicating that you should not operate vehicles or machinery during use.

Recognize the Signals and Dangers of Drowsiness

Pay attention: Indicators of drowsiness include: frequent yawning, heavy eyes, and blurred vision.

Do Not Rely on “Alertness Tricks”

Behaviors such as smoking, turning up the radio, drinking coffee, opening the window, and other “alertness tricks” are not real cures for drowsiness and may give you a false sense of security.

For more details on the six tips visit the following:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/cmv-driving-tips-driver-fatigue