It’s every truckers’ worst nightmare. More than a flat tire, an unsteady load or a demanding client – every trucker fears falling asleep at the wheel on a long drive. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon in this country (250,000 drivers fall asleep at the wheel every day in the United States according to a Harvard study) and it usually isn’t a victimless crime. Just ask the family of an Illinois state trooper who was killed by a man who fell asleep driving an 18-wheeler through a tollway. Or ask the loved ones of a college student who was killed by a truck driver who drifted off. The fact is this happens…but it doesn’t have to happen to you.
With that in mind, here are some tips that you can utilize while you’re on the road to stay awake through long drives:
1) Keep Your Taste Buds Awake
One way to stay alert is through your taste buds. Although energy drinks are a popular choice, sucking or munching on an apple, orange, or even a lemon can help keep taste buds awake. The more tangy, the better!
2) Slow Down On Those Chips
If you’re eating a snack on the road, make it last! Eating too fast does two things: 1) it leaves you more full (and more sleepy) and 2) it leaves more time for inactivity. By slowing down on the munching, you’ll be keeping yourself busy longer and you will be more awake and alert.
3) Drink That Coffee Slower Too
Coffee works well obviously because of the caffeine, but drinking it slower will also give you more “busy time” while causing you to have to take more bathroom breaks. The more bathroom breaks you take, the more time you’ll have to rest up and stay alert on the road.
4) Avoid Sugar
Although sugar is good for a short-time energy boost, it is NOT a good idea on the road! Over time, sugar causes drowsiness and mind fog that can be bad behind the wheel.
5) Keep The Lights On
When you keep it dark in your cabin, your body creates melatonin – a hormone that promotes sleep. Put the interior lights on and keep them on before you get tired to keep the melatonin away.
6) Be Cool
Keep the cabin a little cooler than you’d like – it will help you stay alert.
7) Need A Stick?
Chewing gum will not only keep you from yawning, but the chewing will actually give you something to do while you’re driving.
8) Justin Bieber Can Keep You Awake?
Putting music on can help, but only if you listen to something you don’t particularly like. Listening to music you like will put you in your comfort zone – promoting sleepiness. Put on something you dislike, turn it up, sing along and be alert!
9) Open The Window
Cracking the window open a little bit will let a cool breeze go across your face to keep you awake without drying our your eyes and impeding your vision.
10) Sit Uncomfortably
Change the seat position to something you are not used to. It will force your mind to stay awake and keep your body from completely relaxing.
11) Sunflower Seeds
The act of cracking open the seeds, eating the insides and discarding the shell is a complex enough eating routine to keep you focused and alert.
With these tips in mind, you should be alert and focused on the road. For more helpful safety information, keep checking out this blog, as well as our Facebook page. Otherwise, if you are interested in getting insurance to protect your trucking needs, visit our website.