How to combat sudden sleepiness while driving

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ruudhompsor, Dec 17, 2017.

  1. Mullet_Head87

    Mullet_Head87 Medium Load Member

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    I blast the "Cowboys From Hell" album.

    tenor.gif
     
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  3. pmdriver

    pmdriver Road Train Member

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    When you yawn it is your brain saying it needs more oxygen, so learn deep breathing tech and take a walk, get that blood circulating, even exercises while driving might help.
     
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  4. pmdriver

    pmdriver Road Train Member

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    Also remove your phone and all electronics from your sleeping area so that you do not get disturbed anytime during your sleep. Look at some of them studies they have on that.
     
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  5. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    Yes, this would be best.^^^
     
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  6. BrandonCDLdriver

    BrandonCDLdriver Road Train Member

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    When you're tired you sleep . There is a reason the DOT says stop and rest after 8 hours.
     
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  7. #1don

    #1don Medium Load Member

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    somewhere down south
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    From all the studies I have read on the subject, if you take that power nap try not to take any longer than 45 minutes. Can't exactly explain it,but anything longer messes up your internal rhythm. I rarely need naps anymore and I drive night shift. But I find if I do 30 minutes works wonders.
    Also: TURN THAT PHONE OFF!!! when I go to bed even for a short nap phone is turned down and left up in the front
     
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  8. pmdriver

    pmdriver Road Train Member

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    Get a good old ailment like gout, that pain will keep you up forever, but really exercise before, during and after, on your inspections make it a exercise and stretching routine, for the gout, preserve your kidneys so you do not descend into that hades.
     
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  9. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    No substitute for sleep. Imagine answering the question in court in front of a jury. "Are you saying that while driving a 40 ton missile you felt sleepy and instead of taking a nap you decided to do X?" You are not sleepy because of a lack of X, but lack of sleep. You get a 30 minute break for a reason.
     
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  10. aussiejosh

    aussiejosh Road Train Member

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    Airlie Beach QLd
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    Yes i would second that even though i did suggest taking them only as a last resort of course, i only took them very very occasionally and only if i was driving after 1am in the morning so normal day time driving i'd never use them, i'm usually good till just after mid- nite to stay awake what i'd do if i used them is around say 11 pm / 23:00 i'd take 1 pill only it'd take about an hour to kick in anyway. one of the NZ drivers who didn't know how they worked decided to take an extra tablet when the 1st one he took didn't kick in, for some reason he must of thought they worked instantly. anyway he was just going out of his mind when the caffeine started to work, talk about going hyper needless to say he'd learnt his lesson.
     
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  11. pmdriver

    pmdriver Road Train Member

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    If you value your health do not take them pills and drinks, they set you up for a long term problem which is not fun to deal with.
     
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