what can i do to stop myself falling asleep when i am driving on a long car journey?

Question

because of my work i have to make the trip, by car, from London to Liverpool quite often. it is 250 miles and takes about 3 -4 hours. but i always start dozing off at the wheel after 200 miles, even though i am not tired. This is not only frustrating, but very dangerous. what can i do to prevent this feeling of lethargy?

Answer 1

Take a break a couple of times, walk around, dont eat heavily, light snacks only. Drink a couple of strong coffees and if you start to feel tired open the window and blast yourself with fresh air. I also find it useful to have a plastic bag with a wet flannel in, a quick wipe round the face is very refreshing;

Answer 2

My suggest comes in two parts - based on personal experience:

1. If possible, try to use the train for some or all of these journeys - not only better for you (do a bit of work on the train and also (safely) have a nap) - but also for the environment.

2. If you do drive, just chew any mint-favoured gum - the taste and action considerably increase your concentration.

However that said, still try to take some breaks - you are obviously very aware of the dangers - but like a few others things, it only has to happen once and the consequences can be severe.

Best of luck

Answer 3

Drink lots of coffee, take a few stops on the way down, drive with the window open, and heater off, have an early night, set off half an hour earlier and have a 25 minute snooze in the middle (don't forget an alarm clock).
At the end of the day, you should think about the train, or shorten the journey by moving house or job I guess.
No job is worth killing yourself, or others in the process.
Good Luck.

Answer 4

I do this same journey myself 3 times a week

Basically I use the M40 then M6 toll road... and what you do is this...

On both legs of the journey stop at the Services on the M6 toll.. have a expresso coffe and a mars bar.. go to the car and set your timer on your mobile for 15 mins... and have a snooze... when you wake up open the window for about 2 mins for some fresh air... then go on ya way...

Then stop at Warwick services on the M40 and do exactly the same....

All in all it adds about an extra 45 mins on your journey but you wont feel tired..

Trust me this works

Answer 5

When I have this problem, usually it is because I need to take a crap. Try to alter your eating routines somehow so that you can take a dump within an hour of your getting on the road. Or plan a stop somewhere (if you can find a clean toilet anywhere) and have a crap halfway along your journey. I am not joking at all here, so please "listen to" your body and try to see whether needing to crap is actually the cause of your drowsiness.

Answer 6

Stop and have a sleep half way.
3-4 hours is not that long a time in the seat, as train drivers we drive 5 and a half hours continuous!! Wrong I know, tell your MP.

Answer 7

Use the air conditioner, keep in cool, you'll be less likely to fall asleep, listen to a "talk radio station" and better get your car checked for carbon monoxide gas leaks-since you mentioned that you are not tired.

I'd move closer to work or find another job, if I had to drive that far.....

Answer 8

There is no simple answer or solution, other than going to sleep and getting rested. Coffee and over the counter meds only mask your lack of sleep. Get plenty of sleep before the trip, then plan a stop to rest in between.

Answer 9

Buy some Stay Alert Caffeine Gum off of the internet. The military uses it.

Answer 10

Boredom. When you feel like that you should stop, even for 5 mins for some fresh air, it only takes a second laps of concentration, for accidents - or - drink red bull to keep you alert, high in caffiene, personally, i'd have the stop and fresh air.