nelsondewey's Profile

How To Stay Awake While Driving

There are some good suggestions - but I think the "three car-length" tip is erroneous and dangerous. The current recommendation is to stay…more »There are some good suggestions - but I think the "three car-length" tip is erroneous and dangerous. The current recommendation is to stay at least THREE SECONDS behind the vehicle ahead. At 60 mph (88 feet per second), that's at least 250 feet; three car lengths is only about 50 feet! If you DO "happen to doze off for a second", you'll have travelled four or five car lengths. If you're driving at night - and tired - like this guy is, allow even more time to react! When the vehicle ahead passes an object like a signpost or tree, you should be able to count "a thousand and one, a thousand and two, a thousand and three" before YOU pass the object. And taking a half-hour nap is probably a bad idea. Experts suggest that short "power naps" are better; you don't go too far "under" that way. I find that just relaxing to the point of dozing off is far more energizing . Going fully asleep for 30 minutes makes it really difficult to fully waken and be alert enough to drive safely. Stop every so often; power-nap; get out and walk around for a minute or so. « less