Staying Awake (And Alive) on Long Trips

Here is a gross understatement; falling asleep at the wheel can be dangerous, even fatal. Everybody has their own things that make them sleepy, and things that perk them up. As a long time long distance driver I have come up with a list of some suggestions. Choose for yourself what helps you most. Plan ahead before you leave your house to ensure that you wont be stuck on the road without any of the useful tools for staying awake.

Before anything else I want to bust the myth of energy drinks. Although many of the drinks on the market do give you a burst of energy, most of them leave you with a crash. For those driving short distances they may work, however if you need to stay alert for an extended period of time it's not for you. Small amounts of caffeine are acceptable and may help you, but leave it at that.

#1 Chewing gum, especially mint. The chewing action keeps you awake by the constant movement, and at the same time keeps your mind stimulated. The mint flavor gives you a cool sensation in your mouth which is a wake up call (remember mint toothpaste in the morning).

#2 Avoid the monotony. What makes you fall asleep most is the unparalleled vast boringness of the road. The longer you drive the worse it gets as the white lines of the road start to become a movie on a screen. The sound of the engine becomes a soothing lullaby. Doing anything you can to break that monotony will be a great help to you. Try changing lanes (safely of course) to keep you focused.

#3 Open a window, even just a crack. The air that will rush in will shock you, and the noise will be a welcome change to the humming drone of the tires.

#4 Pick your music smartly. You know which tunes get your blood pumping, and which ones are good-night lullabies. Avoid those slow sleepy tunes like the plague. Always remember to keep music at a minimal level so as not to block out an important sound such as a honk from a fellow driver.

#5 Always try to have another awake person in the car, preferably in the front passenger seat. This gives you someone to talk to, and someone who will notice if you start to doze off. #6 Keep your mind active. Think about something profound in the place of day dreaming. Day dreaming while driving often leads to nightmares.

Lastly always remember if you hit that point where you feel you may fall asleep pull over at the very next safe place and get out to stretch, and/or take a quick nap. You may arrive later and disrupt your grand plans, but it pays off in the end. As they say "Better to be a Johnny- late, than to be "the late Johnny". Good luck and have a safe trip.