Night driving .... AAHHHHHH!

Get an XM radio and tune to comedy channels.... hard to sleep when laughing. Oh and don't feel bad. I cant drive at night if it's snowing.... the white flakes rushing at the windshield puts me out....

 

Between 1am and 5am are the danger hours. I learned about it in the military, they have done sleep studies and regardless of your sleep schedule, human performance diminishes between the hours of 1am and 5am.


I do what ever I reasonably can to avoid driving during those hours. I for sure avoid driving all night, driving through that whole time block. The few times I could not avoid it, I had to drive through, I do take about a 30 minute power nap, sometimes even two naps. It sucks to wake up from that nap, a real fight to make myself get up and start driving again. I feel like crap but I can tell I am in much better, much safer condition to drive after the nap.

 

I agree night driving in the snow is rough and XM radio helps a lot!... Otherwise personally for me I feel better great driving at night until about the time the sun comes up... makes my eyes do funny things. I've found that seat comfort plays a big role too. Probably doesn't apply here but my personal vehicle has heated and cooled seats which blow warm or cool air on your posterior and back. If I start to feel myself even get close to losing attention I can cycle between warm and cool settings periodically and it seems to help. Also works wonders for back pain/discomfort if you've been running a while. In short a change in temperature or seat angles seem to help me tremendously.

Ran from NY to CO straight through (about 24-25hrs) (personal vehicle family emergency) last year and yea I was tired when I got there but had I been riding something with a basic trim level and ###### seats don't think I would've made it out of Ohio.

 

I personally try to get as much sleep as possible before driving the red-eye and wake up about 30 minutes before I start driving. I'll do my pre-trip for the fresh air and to get the blood flowing. While driving I try to play music from my iPod or listen to xm radio. I try not to use the AC as it starts drying my eyes and making them feel heavy. Drink lots of water and avoid sugar and caffienated drinks as the crash will make you feel more tired than before you drank said beverage. Crack the window for some fresh air and noise, keep scanning the road and keeping your mind sharp and stimulated. If the road is empty change lanes every now and then. Stop for a stretch if you're getting bagged, and if that doesn't work try for a quick nap. I'm a smoker and having a cigarette seems to help me as well.

These are some of the methods I use to stay awake. I'm used to the night shift as most of our loads seem to be dispatched in the late evening. I'm fairly young though so my stamina is likely higher than someone who is 50 years +.

Good luck, be safe and don't drive if you're going to fall asleep. Your life and the lives of everyone else on the road are priceless compared to the load you're carrying or the paycheque you're making.

 

I drive fine at night. The only exception is about 4am until the sun rises. 4am is the magic time for me when I get really tired. Then when the sun rises I get wired no matter what my sleep schedule was. Unless I wake up around 1 or 2 am from a full nights sleep, then I'm fine if I start my day around 1 or 2am. If I start around 8 or 9 pm it's a different story

 

I can drive all night long but then when the peak of the dawn not the actual sun coming up but just before the dawn of the morning I get so sleepy it is crazy, And if I keep pushing myself the worse it get, I can never make it till he sun actually shows through. I like to drive into the night! I start out between 12-2:00 P.M. I drive my 10 and find a place to park.

 

Try driving with the window cracked open more then you usually have it opened. I find that helps a lot(especially middle of a cold winter evening lol).

 

My worse time is between the hours of 2:00-4:00am. Some nights I can stay up no matter what, and others I have a hard time. It also isn't to safe to drive more then three or four hours straight anyways. Its always good to drive three to four hours, get out of your truck walk around... maybe take a piss or just check your tires. After that you should feel a little better and be able to drive a few more hours.