How do you overcome the feeling of being sleepy while driving?
By Bebs08
@Bebs08 (10681)
United States
July 15, 2008 7:57pm CST
I have a friend who was into accident that almost lost her arm because she falls asleep while driving. It was early morning when she drives to work, she falls asleep while driving and hit the big tree beside the road. Her car was turn upside down leaving her hanging inside her car with her seatbelt. A woman who was walking with her dog saw the incident and call the police. Well, my friend was just fortunate that there was no other damage except her broken arm and nothing more.
It is very dangerous when you fall asleep while driving.
What you usually do to overcome your sleepiness while driving? are you chewing gums? play your music loud or what? well, please share.. thanks...
2 people like this
28 responses
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
16 Jul 08
how lucky is your friend after the accident that she have no severe injury. I think sleepy while driving is one of the most common reason why accident happened while you are driving.The best way to avoid accident is,you muct stop for a while and sleep XD.
@Monkeyrose (2840)
• Canada
16 Jul 08
I agree! People are so busy nowadays that the option of stopping and taking a time out well.. doesn't seem like an option at all. It could save your life and others though. Technically where I live you can be charged for driving recklessly I believe if you're falling asleep at the wheel.
@WhatsHerName (2716)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Being afraid of falling asleep while driving usually keeps me awake. But on long trips to keep myself alert and my eyes from feeling strained, I keep a cooler of ice in the car/truck and rub the cubes on my eyes every now and then. Also a cold wet towel around your neck helps.
Too bad for your friend, I think if I had that bad of a problem I wouldn't drive or I'd make sure I get plenty of sleep which is what I do and is most important.
2 people like this
@onlinetomakemoney (605)
• Australia
27 Aug 08
I think driving when your that tired is very dangerous. I think that it means she needs to make sure that she get's plenty of sleep before she leaves for work.
I try to make sure that I am up and moving around activly by getting the kids ready and not sitting around too much before I leave just to make sure I'm awake.
I also like to make sure my radio is turned up and I listen to it and think about what my day is going to be.
@alindahaw (1219)
• Philippines
17 Jul 08
If I feel sleepy, I don't drive. A lot of people get involve in road accidents because they nod on the wheels. Yes, coffee and some loud music may keep you awake for a few minutes but if you are really tired and sleepy, you body will go into an overrride mode and you feel even more sleepy. The only solution here is to pull over and take a short nap. A 15 minute nap will do wonders for you. If you do not like to take that nap before you start driving, take the public transport. It is safer that way.
2 people like this
@Bebs08 (10681)
• United States
17 Jul 08
That is a good suggestion alindahaw. But here in America you not just pull over anywhere when you are sleepy driving. You have to look for rest area and there you can rest and take a nap. The problem is when the rest area is yet many miles away and you are very sleepy already? The best thing is Have enough rest during the night.
1 person likes this
@Monkeyrose (2840)
• Canada
16 Jul 08
Wow!! Thats terrible! I'm really glad that your friend wasn't seriously hurt. THat must have almost certainly been a tramatic experience for her though.
Unfortunately I have quite often had the experience of driving while being very sleepy. Generally I open the window full and blast cold air. If find the cold air helps. Taking deep breathes and focusing is also good. You can always stop for coffee or stop and nap. I've stopped and napped once.
@Monkeyrose (2840)
• Canada
17 Jul 08
Its nice when you have someone with you in the car. Even if they can't drive they can talk to you. That also helps keep you from dozing off.
@freedomg (1684)
• United States
17 Jul 08
First let me say I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
Second I am the type to pull off and either wake myself up by jumping around to get my adrenaline going or if I'm too sleepy take a nap. There is nothing going on that I would consider important enough to risk mine or anyone else's life. I had a wreck a few years ago because I was tired. I'll never forget the look on my little girls face when she said "Mommy you wrecked me"
. Never again.
. Never again.
1 person likes this
@Raissa1967 (801)
• Netherlands
16 Jul 08
Well the best way to overcome sleepyness is to get some fresh air into your car. Open the windos. You will notice this helps. You also can put up the volume off your carradio. Sing with the music it will keep you awake. Little trouble much pleasure. Like my picture will tell you. Driving savely is in your own hands (most off the times).
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
16 Jul 08
If I'm alone and no one else is there to drive then I would open the window for some fresh air and when I can I will stop and walk around a little bit and get some coffee.
1 person likes this
@misty99 (736)
•
16 Jul 08
We once traveled some kilometers to get to an embassy for some urgent paper processing.We set out early so we can travel back home before night falls.Feeling sleepy usually occurs after lunch...do you get this feeling also?To continue,we were able to finish the process and traveled back around 1 or 2 in the afternoon.The music was loud but my husband and i really feels sleepy.What he did is stop on safe side of the road and got an ample rest and nap.Then proceeded to the nearest resto and have a black coffee.
.The music was loud but my husband and i really feels sleepy.What he did is stop on safe side of the road and got an ample rest and nap.Then proceeded to the nearest resto and have a black coffee. 
@melo_828 (427)
• Philippines
16 Jul 08
i fell sleepy when driving specially when its a long distance travel. i should keep my eyes on the road and take away that sleepy feeling to avoid any accidents. i open the stereo for a loud rock music to avoid myself from sleeping. if not, i need some conversation with someone else inorder to be awaken...
1 person likes this
@yenwie84 (1344)
• Malaysia
16 Jul 08
I will drink canned coffee while I am driving. I will turn on the volume to make myself awake when I am driving. But I seldom feel sleepy when driving because it is so dangerous, my mindset always remind me drive carefully,lol.
@inia_54 (175)
• Malaysia
16 Jul 08
I have the same experience. It uccured mostly in the afternoon when I drive home from work. We are sleepy maybe because our mind is too tired to focus on the road. So loosen up your brain and your mind. Before driving have a cup of strong coffee. Spare some crunchy tidbits in the car. Just keep munching througout the journey and sing along with the music in the car. It might help.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
16 Jul 08
Was there something wrong at home that She didn't get enough sleep the night before? Did the crash happen during Her normal morning commute to work,or had She to get up unusually early? (though the dogwalker who witnessed the crash would suggest a regular morning routine..) I try not to drive when tired,but I'd try an Energy drink,or coffee,cold air in the car,loud music,or a break...most of these I'd use,though in a long distance drive situation where bed would be an option at the end of the Journey,not in my commute to Work where you'd be expected to be awake at the other end!
1 person likes this
@Bebs08 (10681)
• United States
16 Jul 08
There's nothing wrong at home the night before. She is just busy doing things, household chores that she wants to finish and it was too late when she sleep. She usually gets up early because she have to report at 6:30 and she would drive about 20-30 minutes for work. Good somebody saw here.. because it was yet early morning and nobody is in the road except the one walking with her dog.
@ivylrc (57)
• United States
16 Jul 08
sorry to hear about your friend, i guess some of us had already stated tips on how to overcome feeling of being sleepy while driving. I guess enough sleep at night going to work is also a key, at if you feel sleepy, stop for a while and make yourself awake, think that it is your life that's at stake if you continue driving and pray to guide you in the road.
@dolce_vita78 (8062)
• Philippines
16 Jul 08
Hi there Bebs08! I am sorry to hear about what happened to your friend. Well, it's really a blessing that nothing worse happened to her. I rarely feel sleepy while driving. Even on long drives. More often than not, I do have company so I think that's one advantage when driving with company. But if I really feel drowsy or sleepy, I would look for a safe place to pull over. I would take a nap for a few minutes before hitting the road.
1 person likes this
@Jerrymouse (697)
• Malaysia
16 Jul 08
I am sorry about your friend. My advice is to get someone else to drive you to your destination when you are tired. Or may be get a taxi.
1 person likes this
@planejane (188)
•
16 Jul 08
That's just horrible about your poor friend! I'm so glad that someone saw the incident and was there to lend a hand to your friend.
First of all, I try to not drive when I am sleepy. That's a recipe for disaster.
Secondly, on those rare occasions when I do find myself behind the wheel of a car and I grow sleepy, I shove Tootsie Rolls up my nose, one in each nostril. I have found that this is not only uncomfortable for me, but I also find the smell of the chocolate invigorating and it is impossible for me to doze.
1 person likes this
@Bebs08 (10681)
• United States
16 Jul 08
Oh!! that is very uncomfortable? lol. putting tootsie rolls on your nose? anyway, some of my friends said, they just stopped and walk around but how can you do that when you are in a hurry to report to your job? The best thing I think is to have a good sleep at night.
Thanks for sharing.javascript:__doPostBack('ctl00$cphMainContent$lbStart','')
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@lifeisamazing (209)
• United States
16 Jul 08
Dear Beb08,
this is a good question for everyone. the best thing to do is to listen to loud musci, talk to someone, eat a mint, or coffee. However, if you are really sleeply, stay on the safe side and pullover in a safe spot and take a nap!!!
Take care
