Driving at night? These tips will keep you awake and safe on the road

Driving at night? These tips will keep you awake and safe on the road

Do you enjoy driving at night? The cool evening air, the quiet with less traffic on the roads, city lights in the distance…it certainly has its privileges. However, driving at night also comes with added risk, and not everyone is a fan of those!

Driving at night means you’re much more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel. And although most of us try not to drive at night, if you’ve just finished work, or you’re driving overnight to see a relative or you’re coming back from a holiday, sometimes driving at night is unavoidable. 

Sadly, thousands of road accidents occur each year due to fatigued drivers, causing property damage and serious injuries to other unsuspecting motorists – phone and speak to a Savannah car accident lawyer now if you’ve been in a car accident and it wasn’t your fault. 

So, to prevent yourself from becoming a victim and falling asleep behind the wheel yourself, I’ve gathered some helpful tips that will keep you awake and safe on the road.

Get enough sleep

If you know that you’ve got an overnight journey coming up, try your best to get as much sleep as possible beforehand. Being well-rested should provide you with enough energy to keep you focused on the road ahead and not tempted to close your eyes. Getting enough sleep isn’t always easy, so always try not to exert yourself before a long journey to keep your energy levels high.

Take plenty of breaks

Getting enough breaks is essential when you’re driving at night and concerned about falling asleep. Stopping every couple of hours should be enough to keep you alert. Plan your stops in advance so you know when to expect a break. When you do stop, get out of the vehicle, walk around and stretch your legs, perhaps even have something to eat or drink – avoiding heavy meals and alcohol of course.

Chat with your passenger

If you’re fortunate enough to be driving with a friend or family member, they can help you stay focused and awake behind the wheel. Engage them in conversation, sing along to your favorite playlists and if possible, take turns driving.

Recognize the signs of sleepiness

If you understand and recognize the signs of sleepiness, you’ll know when it’s time to pull over and rest. It also means you’re less likely to become involved in a car accident. There are many different signs of drivers’ fatigue, the most common being:

• You can’t recall the last few miles and have no recollection of passing certain points or buildings or areas on the map.
• Your thoughts are wandering, and you can’t focus on the road
• Your eyes are drooping, and you physically can’t keep them open
• You find yourself drifting into the middle or the edge of the road
• You can’t stop yawning

If you’re showing any of these signs, don’t try and shake them off. Pull over as soon as possible to rest. Consider having a nap to refresh your energy levels. Remember, driving whilst fatigued is incredibly dangerous, so follow the points above to keep yourself and other road users safe.