Whether you drive a truck, an SUV, motorcycle, car, or something else, you need to be safe out there on today’s busy roads. Drivers of all kinds can easily become victims of the busy schedules that many of us are expected to keep in this day and age. The busier we get, the less sleep we get. The less sleep we get, the more dangerous the roads become. Falling asleep behind the wheel is not at all uncommon – and that is one scary prospect.
But how can we avoid driving while drowsy?
Official Recommendations
What does the Center for Disease Control and Prevention say about sleep? They recommend a good seven hours of sleep every night. Stop laughing, it’s true. Obviously, it will come as no surprise to many that the seven hours of recommended sleep are not even a remote possibility for some 35 percent of United States drivers.
AAA weighs in with some statistics of their own – your risk of a crash is literally doubled if, within a 24-hour period, you lose at least two hours of sleep. A statistic like that is astonishing and frightening. They also state that if you get only five hours of sleep, or maybe a little less, your crash rate risk increases past the regular chances by more than 4.3 times. So, how much sleep are you getting every night? And do you drive the next day?
Feeling Tired?
But how does one really know whether or not they are feeling drowsy behind the wheel? Here are a few symptoms:
- Missing road signs
- Daydreaming
- Keeping your eyes open is a struggle
Here’s a question to which you may not want to provide an honest answer: How many have felt sleepy behind the wheel and suddenly jerked “awake” to find themselves in a different lane that they remember just being in? If you didn’t know it before, you know it now – it’s time to pull over! You are posing a risk not just to yourself, but to every other driver on the road.
Why Is Drowsy Driving Unsafe?
The question just posed should be reason enough to worry about your capabilities if you are driving while drowsy. Exhaustion and fatigue dangerously affect a driver’s reaction time. So that by the time you notice there’s a problem at hand, it’s likely too late. Always try to get ample amounts of sleep before heading out on the highway… even though it’s not always easy in this hustle and bustle, busy, work-a-day world.
Suggestions by AAA
Always helpful, AAA has the following advice to avoid driving while drowsy:
- If you feel drowsy, stop driving.
- Drink caffeinated beverages.
- Don’t eat heavy foods.
- Every two hours, schedule a break.
- If you have a passenger that is alert and has a driver’s license, share the driving load by taking turns.
At Mickey Genuine Parts, we want everyone to be safe on the road today, tomorrow, and always. That’s why we offer high quality workmanship at all of our service centers – to keep your vehicles running in top condition. We also provide numerous pieces of safety equipment for trailers, trucks, etc. Contact us today, or peruse our website, if would like to find out about what Mickey Genuine Parts has to offer.