A long journey on the road can present all sorts of different problems, but one of the most serious can be the ability to stay awake and alert at all times. A lack of company, a monotonous journey and long hours can all mean that our eyelids start to feel heavy, and tiredness can creep in.
Of course, this is incredibly dangerous and can be responsible for a lot of very serious accidents and so in this article, Walker Movements share their tips on how you can beat fatigue and stay alert on your next long journey.
The risks of tiredness behind the wheel
When we think of the dangers of becoming tired behind the wheel, it is easy to think about the risk of falling asleep and crashing. This, of course, can be lethal both to the driver concerned and anyone else on the road.
However, this is not the only concern. The gradual onset of fatigue can be equally as dangerous, as it is something which builds up gradually and can make it difficult for you to notice it happening.
When you are tired, it can affect how you are able to drive, and in particular it can slow down your reaction times. It also impacts on your decision-making abilities and therefore the risk of accidents can increase.
In fact, it is estimated that driver fatigue can be responsible for between 10 and 20% of all road accidents across the world. It is therefore essential that you understand the causes of fatigue, recognise the early signs of it and find ways in which you can beat it in order to stay alert at all times on long journeys.
Fatigue warning signs
As fatigue has the ability to creep up on you, it is essential that you are aware of the early warning signs so that it does not catch you out.
Frequent yawning and heavy eyelids are very obvious signs of tiredness and if you are having difficulty keeping your eyes open then it is a clear sign you are too tired to drive.
It can also make it difficult for you to maintain your focus on the road and if you find that your mind is wandering and you are losing concentration, then you may be experiencing fatigue.
Fatigue is capable of impairing your judgement on your decision making, which might mean there are a few questionable choices made during your drive. These can include things like speeding or taking any unnecessary risks.
It also affects your mood and so it can make you impatient, easily frustrated and irritable, so if your passengers are complaining about your mood or road rage is creeping in, it might be time to think about how tired you feel.
You will also find that your reaction times become slower and so it can take you longer to engage the brakes or respond to sudden hazards.
Lack of sleep
One of the most common causes of fatigue on the road is due to a lack of sleep the night before. Therefore, if you know you are going to embark on a long journey, it is important you do all you can to have a good night’s sleep. That means doing your preparation early and ensuring that you go to bed at an appropriate time to be able to get enough hours of rest.
Scheduling regular breaks
Long journeys can be boring and tiring, especially on roads like motorways or dual carriageways, which can start to feel monotonous. It can therefore be very easy to start feeling tired or fatigued and so it is important to factor in some regular breaks for your journey.
You should therefore make sure there is a rest area that you can pull over into a service station or even a scenic spot where you can get out of the car, stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
If you are feeling particularly tired, then it can be beneficial to take a quick power nap to help you reduce your drowsiness. Some light exercise can also be beneficial to leave your mind and body refreshed for the next stage of your journey.
Maintaining good posture
The way you sit when you are driving can be very important to help fend off feelings of fatigue. Slouching or sitting in one position for too long can make you sluggish and tired, so adjust your seat frequently to make sure you are engaging your core muscles. This can not only help to alleviate any fatigue, but it can also ensure you are more comfortable and can prevent long term back problems if you are driving frequently.
Think about your food and drink
It is important to think about what you consume while you are driving. Stimulants such as caffeine, energy drinks and sugar can all provide a temporary boost but can then be followed by a significant crash in your alertness. This can then be responsible for making fatigue worse. It is therefore important that you stick to water and natural energy boosters like fruits and nuts, which can release sugar more slowly and allow you to maintain a steady level of alertness.
Engage your senses
Most of us have probably turned the music up at some point when we are feeling tired, and this can be helpful. Upbeat music, podcasts, or audiobook narrations can all help to stimulate the mind and keep you engaged. This is a great way to keep fatigue at bay, although you should make sure that it is nothing that is too distracting as this can then draw your attention away from the road.
Fatigue is an incredibly dangerous thing, so you need to make sure that you do not underestimate it when driving. It is an issue which should be taken extremely seriously, as it can leave yourself, your passengers and other road users at extreme risk. You should therefore plan your journey around potential fatigue issues and make sure that you have everything at your disposal to keep you awake.
