This is my first post and I have question about driving when tired...
Just wondered what everyone thinks, here goes:
I do a lot of driving for my friends business and there are usually five of us in the car. We tend to drive through the night and it can be very tiring. There are only two of us insured on the car (myself and my friend) and my friend insists that whilst one of us is driving the other has to stay awake and not sleep. His argument is that, if you have a kip whilst not driving then wake up you wont be awake enough to drive.
If i do fall asleep while not driving he will refuse to let me drive when it should be my turn!
Is there any truth in this or is it better to try and get a sleep in while not driving.
Joined: Aug 02, 2006
Posts: 705
Location: McLean, VA, USA
Posted:
Sun Feb 06, 2011 11:10 am
Based on my experience, your friend is very wrong. Nothing is comparable to just 20 minutes nap to relieve the sleepiness. If you drive alone, pulling over and letting yourself to nap is the only reliable way to deal with sleepiness. If you have a spare driver like in your case, one is driving and the other is sleeping - this is the best way. Ask truckers...
What your friend does is very dangerous, and you guys are just asking for trouble that certainly will come likely sooner than later...
I agree, I think its wisest to pull over for a bit and just take a rest/break. Or one driver should be able to catch up on sleep - say, for a set amount of time - while the other drives. And then you can alternate as you go.
Or you could simply stop for a steaming cup of black coffee instead!
All of us know that driving after a few too many is a really, really poor choice. But how many hesitate to get in the driver's seat when they are experiencing a cold or flu? A new study suggests that individuals who drive while they are sick are just as impaired as those who drive affected by alcohol or narcotics. Now, that cold and flu season is upon us, many of us go to the drugstore for relief. We must consider that many of these medications contain antihistamine. This drug can severely impair a person’s ability to drive a motor vehicle. We need to remember that most antihistamines temporarily affect certain receptors in the brain, causing drowsiness. Driving under the influence of antihistamine is not only dangerous but also illegal especially if it is impairing the ability to drive.
The idea of keeping the passenger besides the driver awake, is for him to use as a second pair of eyes, which can be so very much important in keeping them alert and awake, as well as helping them with driving and mainly, dealing with whatever takes place inside the cabin, for the driver.
However, if you do swap driving sessions (and it is recommended that you do so), it is not a good idea for the other driver to be the one which is awake. If there are five of you, have a none-driver remain awake and by your side, while the other driver sleeps.
A person sleeping will wake up fresh if he did not sleep too much or too little, as to wake up in the middle of a "sleep cycle" which can be once each two hours or five hours. After getting up, a quick minute of gathering one's wits and maybe moving a bit, having a bit of drink and food, will help them achieve full awakeness.
Quote:
ho drive while they are sick are just as impaired as those who drive affected by alcohol or narcotics.
Indeed they are! Don't drive when sick or under the effect of medication. Even seemingly harmless medication like cough remedies and anti-congestants can have a bad effect on driving. Consult the pharmicist/doctor!
Oh yeah if you need to pull over and rest, then do it. It will prevent you or at worst lower the odds a lot of you having an accident due to being tired or unwell.
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