Why does driving make you tired

Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep a day, while teens need at least 8 hours. Develop good sleeping habits, such as sticking to a sleep schedule. If you have a sleep disorder or have symptoms of a sleep disorder such as snoring or feeling sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor about treatment options. Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medications that make you sleepy. Be sure to check the label on any medications or talk to your pharmacist.

Drowsy driving—19 states and the District of Columbia, — Drowsy driving and risk behaviors—10 states and Puerto Rico, — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Drowsy Driving. DOT HS Accessed October 21, Institute of Medicine. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.

Pull into the next rest stop or any other safe, well-lit space that allows you to safely park and not obstruct the road.

A minute nap should leave you adequately refreshed and alert, but take more time if needed. One thing to keep in mind is that coffee and other caffeinated beverages provide a temporary energy boost. After the effects of the caffeine have worn off, the feelings of drowsiness may return.

A cup of coffee or two coupled with a brief roadside nap is recommended, but drinks to keep you awake while driving may not provide enough alertness on their own. These measures should be seen as short-term interventions if you find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. You can also reduce your risk of driving while drowsy by taking certain measures before you get behind the wheel.

Most adults between the ages of 18 and 64 should sleep seven to nine hours per day. People older than 65 may not need as much sleep, but the recommended daily allotment is still seven to eight hours. Teenagers of driving age need about eight to 10 hours of daily sleep. Many teens do not meet this benchmark and will feel more tired behind the wheel as a result. If you have a child who drives, stress the importance of adequate sleep and the dangers of getting behind the wheel when tired or drowsy.

Drinking and driving obviously poses safety risks to you, your passengers, and other motorists on the road. That said, even legal amounts of alcohol for operating a vehicle can cause drowsiness behind the wheel. You should be especially careful if you already feel tired. The same is true of prescription and over-the-counter medications, particularly anti-allergy pills, that induce feelings of sleepiness. Be sure to check the side effects of any new medications before driving.

If these effects include drowsiness, consider using public transportation instead. Avoid driving in the late afternoon or between the hours of 12 am and 6 am, when the highest number of drowsiness-related accidents occur. Sleep hygiene refers to habits and practices that help ensure an adequate amount of high-quality sleep each night.

Practicing good sleep hygiene can help you feel more alert and well-rested in the morning. Key aspects of proper sleep hygiene include:. Danielle writes in-depth articles about sleep solutions and holds a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia. Rehman, M. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website.

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When driving also try to avoid heavy meals that can make you sleepy and eat low GI foods that release the energy much slower and keep you fuelled. Also, is it worth being aware that drinking even a small amount of alcohol whilst tired can significantly impair your driving.

Sleep deprivation and tiredness is a dangerous cocktail. Long stretches of empty road without much stimulus can see your alertness drop — and if you are already tired you can find yourself dropping off. Try and use routes that demand you stay alert and always plan a long journey and take regular breaks. While noisy passengers can be a distraction, travelling with someone can actually reduce your chances of fatigue. Plus having someone by your side who can spot if you are getting drowsy can keep you from falling asleep at the wheel.

Fatigue is a warning sign before you fall asleep and so you need to take action. Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel often tried to fight off drowsiness by opening a window, or by turning up the radio.

Instructors who are part of the Engage Driving scheme cover driver fatigue, and other subjects not included in the test, as part of their lessons. You can find your nearest engage instructor by clicking here or if you are an instructor who would like to join and support the scheme find out more you can find out more here.

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Driver fatigue is a major reason for deaths on our roads We all know that drunk drivers, drug drivers and drivers distracted by their phones are a major danger. But we often overlook one of the biggest killers… fatigue.