Driving Drowsy

We push ourselves daily, needing to be everywhere and doing everything. Driving drowsy and being mentally fatigued can have harmful effects, not only on your health and safety, but also your quality of life. As a result, late night or early morning driving, exhaustion after work, and not getting enough sleep are just a few of the reasons people drive drowsy.
Remain alert!

Planning Ahead

•  Plan out your trip. Long or short, have a plan to eliminate long days of driving, especially if you’re the only driver.
• Factor in rest times. Plan stops along the way to stretch, walk, or even nap, to recharge for the next segment of your trip.
• Get a good night’s sleep. Even the days before the trip, plan to get extra rest so you’re mind and body are ready for your trip. While on the trip, be sure to get plenty of sleep to prevent driving drowsy in the daytime.
• Pay attention to your internal clock. When are you the sleepiest? The drowsiest times of day are between midnight and 6am and, again, in the earlier part of the afternoon. Try to avoid driving during these times, even though it may seem like a good idea to make good timing.
• Stay away from sedatives and alcohol. These effect your quality of sleep and may prevent alertness for the next day.

While Driving

• Be aware of your body. For instance, watch for signs that you’re becoming sleepy or less alert. Find the nearest exit or rest area and get some rest. It’s definitely better to arrive safely to your destination than push yourself and end up in a wreck or emergency situation.
• “Tricks” don’t always work. Turning up the A/C, changing the radio station, increasing caffeine or energy drink stimulants don’t always work and draw your attention away from the road. Rather, it’s best to get the rest your body needs instead of pushing through.

What You Should Know

A few causes of drowsiness can be sleep deprivation or disorders, medications, time of day, alcohol, and working long hours. According to the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA,  there were “693 deaths from drowsy-driving-related crashes just in 2022.” That’s too many. For more information, check out the NHTSA link above.

Here For You

Enjoy your trip through Wyoming. Be cautious and prepared, but if you find that you need help on Wyoming’s open roads, we are Select Towing and Recovery. Located in Casper, Wyoming and serving the surrounding area with everything from car towing to heavy duty truck winch outs. If you find yourself broken down, call your 24-hour, local towing company at 307-277-0713. We will take care of you.