It's after midnight, you've been up since dawn, ate a heavy meal and now you're driving home. Your eyes are heavy, your mind is drifting, BUT YOU'RE DRIVING A 35 MPH WEAPON!

Driving drowsy can have the same effects as drunk driving. According to the website Mr Traffic one Australian study showed a 24 hour sleep deprivation has the same effects as a .10 percent blood alcohol level— and that's legally drunk in most places!

HOW TO PREVENT DROWSY DRIVING

• Begin your journey with a good night's sleep.
• Avoid driving during late night and early morning hours, which are the body's natural sleep times.
• Set realistic travel goals about the time it will take to reach your destination.
• Eat healthy meals. Avoid foods high in fat and sugar, which can contribute to fatigue.
• Avoid using alcohol or drugs.
• Share the driving. Switch drivers about every two hours, even if you don't feel tired.
• Take regular breaks. Stop every two hours to stretch.
• Drink water, juice, or a soft drink low in sugar and caffeine. Sugar and caffeine promote short-term alertness but may increase drowsiness over longer periods of time.
• Keep the inside of your vehicle at a cool temperature.
• Listen to radio talk shows rather than music. The discussion format will help keep you alert.

WARNING SIGNS OF DROWSY DRIVING

• Inability to recall the last few miles traveled
• Having disconnected or wandering thoughts
• Having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open
• Feeling as though your head is very heavy
• Drifting from the lane in which you are driving
• Yawning repeatedly
• Tailgating other vehicles
• Missing traffic signs

WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME TIRED WHILE DRIVING

• Find a safe place to stop the car.
• Take a short nap (20 minutes).
• Drink coffee to promote short-term alertness until you can find a safe place to rest.

See more at:

National Sleep Foundation

—From the editors of DriverEd.com