When you are driving, your brain has to deal with many things and process countless data. Alcohol affects your ability to concentrate and to make quick decisions on the road, slowing down your reaction times. The more you drink, the more your eyes stop moving completely for periods longer than a second, so you can never be fully aware of your surroundings. IT IS ALSO COMPLETELY ILLEGAL TO DRIVING DRINK! YOU WILL GO TO JAIL! The Solution NEVER, NEVER drive if you have consumed alcohol.
The Dangers
Driving while you are tired is similar in many ways to driving after consuming alcohol, as sleepiness results in slower reaction times. decreased awareness, impaired judgment and an increased risk of getting involved in an accident.
People who are not well rested pose a greater danger to themselves and to other road users. Sleep deprivation may affect the driver’s awareness, as well as reduce their ability to react to situations in time.
- Up to 35% of accidents on major roads are sleep-related.
- Sleep-related accidents are more likely than others to result in a fatality or serious injury.
- The peak times for accidents are in the early hours and after lunch.
- About 40% of sleep-related accidents involve trucks and commercial vehicles.
The Solution
Plan your journey to include a 15-minute break every two hours. Don’t start a long trip if you’re feeling tired. Try to avoid long trips between midnight and 6am, because you are more likely to feel sleepy during this period. If you start to feel sleepy, find a safe place to stop- not on the side of the highway. Drink some coffee or a high-caffeine drink and have a rest of l0 minutes or more. The only proper cure for sleepiness is sufficient sleep. A caffeine drink or a nap is a short-term solution that will only keep you going for a short while.