Countermeasures

Before “hitting the road”

• Get adequate sleep—most adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper alertness during the day
• Schedule proper breaks—about every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips
• Arrange for a travel companion—someone to talk with and share the driving
• Avoid alcohol and sedating medications—check your labels or ask your doctor

Countermeasures to Prevent a Fall-Asleep Crash While Driving

• Watch for the warning signs of fatigue—see above
• Stop driving—pull off at the next exit, rest area or find a place to sleep for the night
• Take a nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap
• Consume caffeine—the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours
• Try consuming caffeine before taking a short nap to get the benefits of both

Caffeine promotes short-term alertness. It takes about 30 minutes for caffeine to begin working so the best thing to do is pull over for a coffee or other caffeinated beverage, take a short nap, and then get back on the road. Keep in mind that caffeine won’t have much of an effect on people who consume it regularly.