Have you ever found yourself being lulled to sleep while at the wheel of a vehicle? If so, you’re not alone. Recent research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that 4.2% of 147,076 respondents have fallen asleep at the wheel in the last month alone.
Automobile manufacturers are taking steps to eliminate this occurrence. Many vehicles are being equipped with technology that can warn the driver when the automobile leaves the lane, a sign that the driver could be asleep while driving. Volvo and Mercedes-Benz have even developed systems which monitor the way that a driver pilots the vehicle and offers an alert should danger be detected.
But not everyone drives such high-tech vehicles, and that’s why you should take steps to limit your risk. Consumer Reports offers a couple tips on how to do this. First, get enough sleep so that you won’t be endangered by drowsiness on the road. Take breaks every couple hours or so if your trip is particularly lengthy. If you ever feel your eyes becoming heavy, then curtail the danger by pulling over and submitting to a quick nap. And if you can, have somebody ride with you at times when you think you might fall asleep. He or she can chat with you when an otherwise boring road gets you drowsy, and you can switch off driving duties if need be.