AMONG the most dangerous types of drivers are those who drive sleepy or drowsy. It’s easy to detect, yet hard to stave off. Sleepy driving arises from either having not enough sleep the nights before the drive or being behind the wheel for an extended period. And you don’t necessarily have to literally fall asleep when driving to meet an accident. Many times, sleepy drivers enter that zombie-like state where their eyes are open, but their mind isn’t. Here are five easy-to-do ways to prevent this from happening, and to keep you or your designated driver on his or her toes.
1)
Turn up the radio or audio player, and sing along
It doesn’t matter if you’re a lousy singer (in fact, the more outrageous the singing, the better). Making a game out of it (like guessing the title as fast as possible) keeps the involvement level up.
2)
Share scary stories
Nothing keeps you awake more than being creeped out by a ghost story. It helps if your group does some paranormal research on the places you’ll be passing through during your road trip. The more terrifying the detail, the better.
3)
Assign the most talkative, opinionated or “annoying” passenger to the front seat, beside the driver Having the driver engage in a spirited discussion on any subject matter is much better than seeing him or her peacefully dozing off on the highways.
4)
Assign an alternate driver
You can be selfish with the microphone during videoke nights, but never with the steering wheel, because lives are at stake. Two heads are better than one when it comes to long drives. But here’s the caveat: Only turn over driving duties to someone you truly trust behind the wheel, and not just to anyone who claims that he/she can handle provincial drives.
5)
Give in, sleep, but while the car is at rest, too
If tip 4 isn’t possible (because no one else in your group knows how to drive), tip 3 is out of the question (because all your companions are nice, agreeable minions), tip 2 is too freaky, and tip 1 is voted out by the group, then the only recourse is to stop at safe, secure spots off the highway (most probably in a gas station) and go on at least a 30-minute power nap.
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