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It is no secret that our lives increasingly become hectic as the years pass that we become so tired to perform at our best. We become drowsy at times and in need of a nap. Becoming drowsy behind the wheel is a reality that happens to us all, even though it does not always have to. There are ways we can avoid having it happen.
When we become tired, our brain becomes tired as well. That reduces our ability to make good driving decisions. A tired brain means it is late sending appropriate messages to your eyes, hands, and feet while driving. Can you imagine how this may affect your ability to drive a vehicle? Drowsy driving is too dangerous to ignore and take a chance with, but many people seem to do just that.
Some people believe that drowsy driving will generally only happen late at night. It can occur during any time of day since we can feel tired during daylight hours, especially after a busy day. There is a difference between being drowsy and being fatigued. Many people may think they are similar. They are not the same. What this means is that the solutions to each are different. Becoming tired is often an expected feeling after completing several activities throughout the day or after a busy day. You may know why you feel tired most of the time and having a good sleep will often solve that issue. The feeling of fatigue is a daily lack of energy. It generally means your body is tired, which is not improved by sleeping.
Becoming drowsy behind the wheel may be caused by poor sleep, perhaps over the last few days. After you enter the vehicle and begin driving, your eyes seem to become extremely heavy. Having a 15 – 20-minute nap can reduce your drowsiness and help keep you awake so you can continue driving. However, if you cannot safely pull over, there may be a few things you can do to help you remain awake and alert until you can pull to a safe place to rest.
Many short-term solutions to help you stay awake don’t work as well as many may think. These include drinking strong coffee or other caffeine drinks, cold air blowing on your face, having a sugary snack, playing loud music, and having an in-depth conversation. These suggestions may work for some people, but moving to the side of the road or a parking lot to rest is the best solution. Visit Fanshawe Driving School and learn more from a professional instructor!