Driving while tired can be extremely dangerous as it only takes one second of drifting off and poor concentration to cause a fatal accident. If you feel sleepy or tired, don’t drive. Trying to stay alert on the road when you are driving long distances, especially at night can be risky. Crystal car hire has put together a few things to keep in mind for staying safe when you are behind the wheel.
PLAN AHEAD.
Make sure you are well-rested before you take off on a long journey. Allow plenty of time for breaks on your itinerary. Try to avoid driving between midnight and early morning. Limit eating any heavy meals as they might make you feel sleepy. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. Ensure you put your mobile phone away so it will not distract you while you are driving.
KNOW THE SIGNS.
It’s easy to get caught up in reaching your destination and ignore the signs when you are tired. If you are distracted, struggling to focus, yawning or finding that you are drifting out of your lane, it is time to pull over and take a break. Keep in mind that arriving late is better than ending up in a car accident. Traveling to Rwanda or Uganda? Ensure to familiarise yourself with these Rwanda or Ugandan road rules and signs.
OPEN THE WINDOW AND FEEL THE WIND BLOW.
You may want to open your windows and let the fresh air into the car. This can have an effect and make you more alert and awake. Or you can just simply use the air conditioner to relieve the stale, warm air that often contributes to making you feel more tired.
TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS.
If you are feeling tired, it is essential that you find a safe place to pull over and take a break. Get out of the vehicle and stretch your legs, or get something to eat. Remember to take a 15-minute break every two hours on a long drive to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.
CHANGE THE MUSIC OR LISTEN TO THE RADIO.
Find something good to listen to so you can focus. Whether it be a radio show, great album or even an audiobook – having something to concentrate on will keep you awake. If you are looking for some road trip songs, make sure to check out our cool playlist here.
DRIVING IS BEST WITH COMPANY.
Traveling with a friend or family member is one of the best ways to avoid any accidents. Keep up a conversation, or try some easy and funny driving games to keep you from drifting off.
Of course, the above are only short-term solutions for when you begin to feel fatigued while driving, however when you do start to feel very tired, your only option is to STOP driving and only begin again when you are fully refreshed.
