Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Hitting the road for Labor Day- Combat Drowsiness

Hitting the Road for Labor Day? Here are some good tips to prevent drowsiness while driving:

"Before “hitting the road”

Get adequate sleep—most adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day

Schedule proper breaks—about every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips

Arrange for a travel companion—someone to talk with and share the driving

Avoid alcohol and sedating medications—check your labels or ask your doctor

Countermeasures to Prevent a Fall-Asleep Crash While Driving
Watch for the warning signs of fatigue—see above
Stop driving—pull off at the next exit, rest area or find a place to sleep for the night
Take a nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap
Consume caffeine—the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours
Try consuming caffeine before taking a short nap to get the benefits of both.......

more great tips from the National Sleep Foundation

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