9 tips to avoid falling asleep at the wheel

It may seem simple, but the quality of your rest the night before plays a significant role in maintaining alertness and attention while driving. Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine the night before a long drive as this can impact your sleep quality.

As soon as you notice increased blinking or find it difficult to keep your eyes open, you must stop. Look for a rest area or pull over to a safe spot away from traffic. Recline your seat and take a nap. Many drivers set distance or time goals before taking a break, but pushing through fatigue is unwise and can have serious consequences.

A "power nap," which is a quick nap of 10 to 15 minutes, can be enough to restore the alertness needed for safe driving. Before you start again, remember to air out the vehicle and take a short walk to re-energise.

This is a common piece of advice, often seen on road signs. Incorporating a brief stop during your journey to stretch your legs, hydrate, and refresh is an excellent way to revive your body after extended periods of inactivity.

The likelihood of drowsiness while driving at night is significantly higher. Our natural biorhythms are adapted to daytime activity, making us feel increasingly sleepy as night falls. Unless absolutely necessary, it is best to avoid driving during hours when you would typically be sleeping.

Heavy meals, especially those high in fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, can lead to drowsiness. Fatty foods prolong digestion, while sugary foods can cause insulin release, which has sedative effects in large amounts. If you plan to drive soon after eating, choose a light meal instead.

Many drivers rely on coffee or energy drinks containing caffeine to combat sleepiness. While coffee is a strong stimulant, its effects are short-lived, and once they wear off, drowsiness can return quickly, especially if sugar is added. In summary, caffeinated substances are best for short trips and should never replace a nap or proper rest.

Many modern vehicles are equipped with technology designed to detect signs of drowsiness in the driver and alert them with sound signals. If your vehicle has these systems, use them consistently. However, these warnings should not be relied upon to keep you awake; they are reminders to stop immediately.

As time passes, the air inside the vehicle can become stale due to excess carbon dioxide. Use the air conditioning to refresh the cabin air, or lower the windows briefly to let in fresh air. A cool breeze on your face can help keep you alert, but remember that these measures should be used to prevent drowsiness, not to combat it once it has set in.

This tip can help you stay alert, but it should not distract you. According to the highway code, drivers must pay full attention to the road. Therefore, listening to music or engaging in conversation should never compromise your ability to focus on driving. Stimulating music, an entertaining radio show, or an interesting story from a passenger can help keep you awake, but they should not divert your attention from the road.