Fatigued drivers are not just a danger to themselves, they can cause harm to other motorists who are on the road in Tennessee. With the rate of fatigued drivers increasing, you may be wondering how you can fight driver fatigue. Fatigued driving involves motorists who are sleepy, drowsy and less alert while they are on the road. According to Drop It and Drive, there are several actions you can take to stay awake when you are behind the wheel.
Before you get ready to travel, you should consider drinking some coffee. Coffee is in moderation may be healthy for you. The caffeine in it can help give you the boost of energy you need to stay alert while you are driving. You should avoid eating before you hit the road. If you must have something, make sure that it is light so it will not bog down your digestive system. If you consume a heavy meal immediately before driving you may feel sluggish and tired which will affect your alertness and safety while you are on the road. If possible, allow a sufficient amount of time to go by before you drive after consuming a heavy meal.
If you are going to be driving for longer than 20 or 30 minutes, you should allow for extra time when you are planning your commute. You want to incorporate enough breaks to give you the opportunity to thoroughly stretch, move around and take in some fresh air so you can wake up and feel more alert. If you are still feeling tired or fatigued after a few moments, then you should take a short nap so you can refresh yourself.
In addition to the above suggestions, you should avoid using cruise control and allowing your vehicle’s cabin to become too warm. You want to be comfortable, but not too comfortable to the point that you may fall asleep.
It is not uncommon for fatigue to set in even if you are not tired when you are driving for long intervals on the road. However, making preparations before you get into your vehicle and taking preventative measures while you are driving can help you to fight driver fatigue and keep you getting into car accidents.