Preventing Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving contributes to thousands of car accidents every year in the US alone. The people most likely to drive while sleepy are young people – particularly young men, shift workers, and people with narcolepsy or untreated sleep apnea.

Far and away the best way to prevent drowsy driving is getting adequate sleep before driving. It is much more effective than any other remedy for drowsy driving. Unfortunately, there are situations when this is not possible.

In those cases, there are remedial, short-term ways to address drowsy driving that can in the short term help somewhat reduce the driver’s drowsiness. These measures can at best help drivers remain awake long enough to stop driving and sleep, find a motel, make it to a friend’s house to sleep, or call someone to give you a lift.

Taking a break for a short, 15 to 20 minute nap has been shown to improve driver performance afterward. Short naps every six hours will improve driver drowsiness. However, drivers can be groggy for a period of 15 minutes or so after awakening if naps last longer than 20 minutes.

Though this strategy can be effective, secure rest areas may be difficult to find, and many people are uncomfortable napping in a rest area when they are traveling alone at night.

Drivers who are sleepy can improve alertness by consuming caffeine. The amount of caffeine contained in about two cups of coffee is usually sufficient, though caffeine content does vary quite a bit.

In experiments with driver simulators, sleepy drivers who consumed caffeine cut down on potential crashes, including lane deviations and feelings of sleepiness for about an hour after taking the caffeine.

Lifestyle changes that include more adequate sleep are perhaps the best ways to prevent drowsy driving. This can be difficult for people who, for example, attend college and work, or who have busy social lives. Rather than starting a long drive after a sleepless night, it is far better to wait and get a good night’s sleep first.

While it is important to avoid alcohol consumption before every drive, it is particularly important in someone who is sleep deprived.

The best possible prevention for drowsy driving is avoiding driving without adequate rest beforehand. Drivers who find themselves drowsy behind the wheel should stop driving altogether if possible.

If not, consuming the caffeine contained in two cups of coffee, taking a 20 minute nap, and then driving to the closest safe resting spot is the safest action to take.