Driving Tired is a major cause of accidents according to the CDC. Several studies equate being tired to being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When someone drives tired only one drink may be enough to make them a risk.
If you are involved in an accident after a long day of work, it may be that you or the other driver were driving drowsy. It isn’t any safer than driving drunk.
How Do Pilots Avoid Flying Tired?
Airline pilots get training in fatigue mitigation. Basically they are taught to recognize that they or the other pilot are responding slower and are fatigued. Part of the training includes strategic use of caffeine.
American’s are already over stressed and don’t get enough sleep, so learning how to use caffeine can be a lifesaver. You can’t just drive through for a coffee on the way home.
Caffeine Use Tips:
Keep in mind that none of this works if you are using caffeine all day just to function. Basically if you need caffeine all day, you are already fatigued and probably shouldn’t drive without a nap, an energy boost or both.
Tip One. – It takes 30 minutes to an hour for caffeine to work. This means you should have that cup of coffee or tea at least 30 minutes before you jump in the car to insure maximum alertness. The best trick is to take a 30 minute nap right after the coffee so you get the benefits of both the coffee and the nap.
Tip Two. – Since caffeine can affect sleep for up to five hours after consuming it, the rules are much the same as alcohol. No caffeine within four hours of bedtime. A good rule for nine to fivers’s is that caffeine should stop at about 4 pm to make sure you get the best sleep each night.
Tip Three. Get proper rest. Most people need six to eight hours of sleep each night and our bio rythms are designed to take a short walk and a short nap after a mid day meal.
Drive safe, we don’t want you to need our services, but if you have been in an accident and were injured, call us for a free consultation.