This post from Coast to Coast Synthetics in Goliad will walk you through the dangers of drowsy driving, as well as its causes and ways to avoid falling asleep at the wheel. Read on to learn more.

While most people recognize the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, not wearing a seat belt, or texting while driving, few people are aware of the risks of drowsy driving. To better understand this issue, it is necessary to note that according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 697 fatalities due to accidents related to drowsy driving during 2019. Considering the above, it is of utmost importance to recognize the factors that commonly contribute to drowsy driving, the main warning signs; and above all, the different ways to prevent and counteract exhaustion at the wheel; to do so, keep reading this post by Coast to Coast Synthetics.

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Underlying Causes of Drowsy Driving

First of all, it's necessary to understand the most common causes associated with drowsy driving to avoid falling asleep at the wheel; therefore, here are the main risk factors:

• Insufficient sleep: It's no secret that too little sleep can lead you to make poor driving decisions; after all, having an inadequate sleep can cause slower reaction time, inability to concentrate, visual difficulty focusing, poor coordination, among other critical cognitive problems.
• Alcohol: While it is true that alcohol has sedative effects that make it easier to fall asleep, it is also true that its consumption can disturb and interrupt the R.E.M. stage, which is the deepest and most restorative stage of sleep. Therefore, drinking alcohol causes drowsiness and, at the same time, prevents you from having a restful sleep, thus affecting your daytime functions, more specifically, your driving abilities.
• Certain medications: Sometimes, drowsiness at the wheel can be caused when taking a particular prescription or over-the-counter sedative or amnesic medicines.
• Driving at night: As the sun goes down, the body raises its levels of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the cycle of sleep during the night; therefore, the risk of falling asleep at the wheel is much higher when driving between the hours that your body is used to sleeping.
• Unattended sleep disorders: Neglecting obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, or any other sleep disorder can impair your driving performance and significantly contribute to the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

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Warning Signs of Drowsiness

Drowsiness can be insidious and come on slowly while driving; therefore, it's crucial to stay alert to the following warning signs:

• You yawn more frequently.
• Your eyelids suddenly feel heavy.
• Tension builds up in your back and shoulders.
• You suddenly start to nod off.
• You don't remember driving the last few miles.
• You miss traffic signs.
• You drift out of your lane.

Follow These Tips to Prevent Drowsiness While Driving

• Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to perform their daytime functions healthily, hence, make it a priority to get enough sleep, especially if you have a long day of driving ahead of you.
• Check your medications: If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines, check their side effects to know if they cause drowsiness, confusion, lethargy, or dizziness. If your medication contains sedatives, avoid getting behind the wheel.
• Stop every two hours during long trips: If you have a long road trip coming up, plan to stop every two hours to rest, eat a snack, and move around a bit. Doing so will help you stay alert throughout the trip.
• If possible, take a travel companion: Sharing a road trip with another person can make driving less monotonous, and thus, avoid succumbing to the symptoms of drowsiness. You can even ask your traveling companion to take the wheel if you become too tired.
• Avoid driving at night: As mentioned above, driving at night increases the risk of falling asleep at the wheel; therefore, avoid taking the wheel between midnight and 6 am.

How to Combat Drowsiness at the Wheel

There are different ways to stay alert behind the wheel, for example, drinking coffee, listening to upbeat music, or rolling down the windows to freshen you up a bit. Regardless, once you experience the symptoms of drowsiness, be sure to pull over in a parking lot, a rest area, or the first safe spot you can find. Once you've parked, have some coffee or an energy drink if possible, and lie down to sleep for at least 20 minutes. According to medical experts, following this method can help you regain your energy to drive safely.

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