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
Jose Barquero says,
Great safety tips for driving while drowsy. Particularly with all the distractions now days behind the wheel.
Sonya D Chambers says,
Excrllent information. Thanks
Joni says,
My husband and his best friend both died st age /38 because of drowsy driving. There was no one there to help them stay awake. People need to pay more attention to narcolepsy symptoms. Good article. Another good tip I’d to put cold water on your face and open the windows.
Dali Burgado says,
I’m so sorry to hear that, Joni. Thank you for your comment.
Jody Bridgewater says,
Worked retail for 10.5 years so I would work many crazy hours. Resulting in anywhere from 0 – 2 hours sleep sometimes. Drove drowsy from time to time unfortunately because of it. I would combat this with turning on the heater full blast or the radio. Anyway I could get myself to be uncomfortable and not be in a state of relaxation. I have also done pull over to a rest stop or onto the shoulder and taken a short nap as well.
Douglas says,
That’s great advice for trips, but I get drowsy on my commute home. Getting stuck in slow&go for an hour makes me sleepy, even if I drink coffee before hitting the road. Open to ideas.
Joni says,
Turn up the radio, sing out loud. And open the windows or blast the air conditioner.heatwill make you more sleepy.
Don Stump says,
Way cool idea…thanks so much GEICO.
Cesar Olivares says,
drink alot of Mountain Dews, ant ate cheese burgurs
Betty says,
First of all I thank God The man and his family and his grandchildren were not hurt but it all comes down to one thing if you’re tiredpull over and Get some sleep there is no place that important that you have to be there at a certain time your life or the life of someone else is not worth driving while you’re tired
Kya oo says,
I think second method .
Joan says,
Love getting these tips, very helpful reminders of what we may sometimes forget. Thank you!
Glenn armstrong says,
Thank you for the info GEICO
John Joseph says,
Like they said best suggestion for that is getting 7 to 9 hrs of sleep. Me personally if I’m on 6 hours or less Ill be supper drowsy
John says,
In addition to my comment about keeping alert/awake, here is something else I also think is important enough to post here:
If a vehicle approaches you with dangerously bright lights, quickly close 1 eye until the danger passes.
John says,
30 years ago I caught myself dozing while driving – so, the next day I called the Greyhound Bus Company and asked what do they teach their drivers to do if they get drowsy while driving:
Look to your left as far away as possible to find something you can read (focus on) (like a sign) or examine (like a lit up building) focus at it, then look to your right to find something you can read or focus on as far away from the roadway as possible and focus on it, – , repeat the looking left & right several times and the process should keep you awake – else: stop driving immediately!
I have been using the Greyhound technique for 30 years and it worked for me!
Allan Demorest says,
I taught Driver Safety for AARP for 18 years. Your suggestions are very good, particularly stopping every 100 miles (or 2 hours) to move around out of the car. Don’t depend on coffee- too much can cause hallucinations (I am also a Psychologist). Limit driving to 400 to 500 miles in a day past age 65.