First of all, because when you drink, you will not drive. And you won't take your family. With alcohol, you always know for sure that “I’m not going anywhere now,” and fatigue is a very individual concept, and it’s very easy to convince yourself that nothing bad will happen. But this is not so: in a state of fatigue, you not only risk falling asleep at the wheel, but also react more slowly to what is happening.
Find out how to deal with tired driving and when it's time to stop for a break.
EAT - STAY AT HOME
Don't travel long distances after a big meal. Do not drink alcohol even the day before.
Drowsy? STAY AT HOME
Do not start moving even if you are slightly drowsy. And no matter how cheerful you were at the beginning of the journey, do not spend more than 8 hours a day behind the wheel.
THREE HOURS IS YOUR MAXIMUM
Three hours non-stop is the normal physiological limit for driving. After that, you need a break, rest, warm-up. For the elderly, infirm or inexperienced drivers, the driving time is reduced to 2 hours.
REMEMBER THE DANGEROUS HOURS
Some periods of the day are most dangerous. Driving from midnight to six in the morning is very risky as the brain is at its most defocused at this time. Another dangerous period is from two in the afternoon to four. This is a daily decline in attention and ability to concentrate.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
Respond to body signals. The desire to stretch is an important signal that drowsiness is about to come. No need to turn up the radio louder or open the window wider, these methods are practically useless against sleep. The roadsides are full of wrecked cars with loud music and open windows, so take your time there. People typically experience sleepiness for no more than 40 minutes before the deep phase hits and they can't handle it. Therefore, from the moment you feel like sleeping, you have 20 minutes to get to the place where you will stay.
REST, NOT STIMULATE
Take a break. Coffee, strong tea, or energy drinks will only help for a little while, but as the stimulants wear off, you'll feel even more tired. It has to do with chemical reactions in the body. All these stimulants “burn out” the available resources in the cells, and it takes even more time to develop new ones. Ideally, you should stop, get out of your car, take a walk and get some fresh air. However, when it comes to effectively combating fatigue, nothing beats sleep.