You’ve been driving for a while, alone, and start to yawn. Your eyes get heavy. Suddenly, your head snaps up and you realize you dozed off for a millisecond.
Think it can’t happen to you? Think again. Within any 30-day period, about one in 25 drivers over the age of 18 reports having fallen asleep while driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More Fast Facts About Drowsy Driving
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that drowsy driving leads to 100,000 police-reported crashes each year, resulting in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and a $12.5 billion cost to the economy.
- Adults between 18 and 29 are the most likely to drive while drowsy (71% vs. 52% for 30- to 64-year-olds, or 19% for those aged 65 and over), according to the National Sleep Foundation.
- People with children are more likely to drive while drowsy than people without children (59% vs. 45%).
6 Ways To Stay Alert On The Road—And Keep Safe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9vk_rpHMpk&feature=youtu.be
- Sleep sufficiently. The National Sleep Foundation recommends getting between seven and nine hours of sleep per night.
- Stay engaged. Chat with your passengers or sing along to some tunes. Before driving, pick a playlist (or podcast) that will rev you up. If you’re talking on the phone, use hands-free.
- Pair up. When traveling long distances, taking turns behind the wheel allows you to rest without putting your trip on pause.
- Get some air. Roll down your windows for a blast of air and consider looking for a safe place to pull over to take a 20-minute nap. If you’re on the highway, the stimulating sounds of the rushing wind can also help keep you alert.
- Catch up on your reading. Audiobooks can help keep your attention—try an app or a local library for audio titles before you go.
- Take a break. Get out and stretch, use the restroom or get a snack every 100 miles or 2 hours.
Learning defensive driving techniques can help you become a better driver and earn you a discount on car insurance. Visit GEICO’s defensive driver discounts section for more information.
Next: 7 Bad Driving Habits to Avoid
Illustration by Sébastien Thibault
Video Animation by Heather Van Gilder
Voice-Over by Steven Scott
Kristine says,
My husband was a truck driver for years and swears by, eating sunflower seeds keeps you awake, be sure to have water, makes you thirsty too!
Elida Squires says,
Any idea’s on how to drive safely after working a 12 hour shift?
Steve Tran says,
I use napkins soaked with cold water to wipe my face when I feel drowsy. That will immediately put myself on alert mode for nearly 30 minutes while i am still driving.
Do not turn on AC in the car because cool air makes us feel more sleepy.
use any mint flavor items such as mint chewing gum or mint hot oil. the smell of mint will help us say alert.
Dali Burgado says,
Thanks, Steve. Mint? Nice!
Adrianne says,
My parents were driving to one of our family’s favorite spots. My mom was asleep my dad who was driving fell asleep also. They went into oncoming traffic and hit a pickup truck head on. The authorities had to use the jaws of life to get my dad out. My mother was ok except for a deep gash above her left eye. My dad on the other hand shattered his left hip and almost bit his tongue in half. The point is my parents thought they could just drive a few minutes longer and didnt have to stop. They were wrong. If you’re tired or even a timy bit sleepy pull over. Getting somewhere a little bit faster isn’t worth your life.
George Lee says,
I dozed off while driving with my wife, daughter and two grandchildren in the car. They were dozing also. I hit the back end of a truck and careened off the highway into the center grassy divide. The car was totaled. No one was hurt. I was saved from a terrible situation, not only for my family, but for others on the road. Do not let this happen to you, with a worse outcome. Do Not Drive While Drowzy!! Do Not Drive While Drowzy!! I never will again!
George Achimbi says,
Before I start a long highway drive, I make sure I have a cooler with some water. Then I have by my seat some snacks such as almond nuts, peanuts and even some chips- potato.
As soon as I feel drowsy I make sure I chew some nuts from time to time and take some water. This is my remedy against DROWSY DRIVING.
Julie starr says,
I agree with the comments below regarding sleep disordered breathing. I work for a local diagnostic sleep company and we find that many patients drive while sleepy, which is very unsafe. More then half of these patients are sleepy due to inadequate rest at night due to an undiagnosed sleep disorder, and not getting proper rest while you sleep due to one of these disorders. If you notice you are drowsy, follow up with your PCP or a sleep specialist and fill out an epworth sleepiness scale or a Berlin questionnaire to see if a sleep study is something of importance to you and the surrounding drivers on the road!!!
KEKE says,
This just opened my eyes! I have been driving drowsy for the past month. Not understanding why in the world I get sleepy when I start to drive. I go to bed at a decent hour but still wake up feeling drained. I just might look into a sleep study. Thanks!
Carrie says,
Bumper to bumper traffic has caused me to become drowsy behind the wheel for years, regardless of time of day, even if I was not tired when I buckled up.
I used to slap my legs to perk up, which was effective for only a few minutes each time. But since I discovered stand up comedy station on a radio app, I don’t even begin to doze. Also, I have recently been diagnosed with ADD and I suspect that it is a contributing factor in my case.
Elspeth Vevers says,
Listening to a tape reading of a novel while driving will cause driver to fall asleep!!!!
Manny says,
I don’t when i feel sleepy, just to make sure I buy nice big cup of strong coffee and put it next to me, I also like to hear music and news, I sing laud when I drive, always help.
Marilyn says,
Use a cold pack or wet paper towels and place on eyes. Works every time.
Yvonne says,
I recommend peppermint candy and/or gum which seems to provide enough stimulation to give you a boost.
abolghassem says,
Two final ways to fight drowsiness if other methods have not been used
1-eat something simple while you are driving
2-hold a large ” dollar bill” with two fingers with your arm stretched out of the window
hope you do not have to reach this second method.!!!!!!
Emir yeje says,
That happened, to me so i just stop for 15 to 20 minutes the first time i did i was surprised the way i feel after that o feel i have rest for more time.
Vstarguy says,
See your doctor! You may have SLEEP APNEA. You may need to use a CPAP or a BIPAP to sleep at night. Don’t put it off. This is serious business.
Stanley Ginn says,
Ive been driving to southern LA county for years. It takes me 10-12 hours to get
there because I have to take a rest at every rest area. Power drinks have never
entered my mind because of so many negative remarks about them. It seems
like you may have used at least four of them. Could you help by given me the four
brands (NAMES, PLEASE) so I can try them and cut down my driving time to visit
my grandson more often? It’s a good thing that I-5 (in CA) has many rest areas.
Thank you,
Stan
S. Ginn