Long-distance car journeys can be exhausting and lead to driver fatigue, which is as dangerous as driving under the influence. To avoid fatigue, drivers should get enough rest, share driving responsibilities, consume stimulants in recommended dosages, and divide the trip into smaller chunks.
Many drivers fail to appreciate how exhausting a long-distance car journey can be on both body and mind. Falling asleep behind the wheel is as dangerous for other drivers as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are several ways to avoid driver fatigue, however, and any or all of them are worth considering for anyone responsible for the safe transportation of others.
One of the best ways to avoid driver fatigue is to get as much rest as possible before getting behind the wheel. Tempting as it may be to plan an overnight road trip to avoid traffic hassles or buy a few extra vacation hours, it may be best for a driver to do most of the driving during their normal waking hours. Getting up too early for a long car ride could mean an inevitable drop in energy and attention span just hours into the journey. To avoid fatigue, drivers should get as much sleep as possible before the journey and consider taking refreshing naps at rest areas or pulling over after a few hours of driving to avoid highway hypnosis.
Another way to avoid driving fatigue is to share driving responsibilities with at least one other driver. If one driver is more comfortable in city traffic, the other may want to handle highway driving while resting. Some drivers are not comfortable driving as a passenger, especially with inexperienced or unpredictable co-drivers, but should still turn the steering wheel periodically to avoid driver fatigue.
Some suggest that one way to avoid driving fatigue is to consume significant amounts of stimulating drinks, such as strong coffee or energy drinks. The caffeine and other stimulants found in these drinks can help a driver feel more alert for a few hours, but there could also be a pronounced crash when the stimulants leave the driver’s system. Caffeine may also be available in capsules sold as a high-energy herbal supplement near the cash register of a convenience store or truck stop restaurant. Drivers seeking to avoid fatigued driving should use these stimulants only in recommended dosages and only after considering other, less invasive methods.
If the itinerary is not time-sensitive, a driver can avoid driver fatigue by dividing the trip into smaller chunks. A trip that normally takes 12 hours of driving to complete, for example, could be split into two 6-hour segments. The driver or navigator may plan to stop for the night in an appropriate hotel after reaching a specific driving time. Even if a driver feels rested enough to continue driving for a few more hours, taking a long break from the road could make the journey overall more enjoyable and help the driver avoid driver fatigue on an isolated stretch of highway during the darkest hours of the night.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
