Reports in the united states of America from AAA foundation, a popular organization of traffic safety and driving disciplines revealed that a thousands of people get involved in car accidents and one of the main causes of them was sleep driving. In many developing countries like Uganda, the sleep driving issue is always given a cold ear and it is never mentioned among the causes of rampant accidents on the roads. Therefore drivers live in a limbo since they don’t know that sleep driving is one of the root causes of road accidents. It never comes to their attention on how to avoid or address it.
Self drive in Uganda as a car rental company, we care so much about our clients and we always work so tirelessly to bring important information to them to have a safe self drive expedition in the pearl of Africa. More to that most of our clients are long distance travelers to the various tourism destinations that are located faraway from Kampala city. They are likely to face the problem of falling asleep while driving. We came up with a compilation of the tips of staying awaken while driving on a long distance.
Take a short rest before driving
When going in for a long distance drive, a driver is commended to take a rest for about 2 hours to recharge the batteries fully in order to go in for a marathon of riding. A short nap saves the driver lots, the body and the brains tend to get a reboot and thus get steady and alert on the road.
Avoid getting on the wheel at night
Human beings, we are more active during day and in the night we tend to wear off. All we need to do at night is take a nap. That’s why most cases of sleep driving accidents happen at night. Most car rental companies in Uganda do not allow travelers to drive at night and sleep driving is one of the main reasons. There forth, we advise to avoid getting on the wheel at night to save yourself from the predicament of sleep driving.
Have a colleague in the car
It a very hard task to keep awake when you are traveling alone on a long distance destination. The best way to dodge dropping off to sleep is by travelling with a companion who will keep you chatting and engaging while chatting. The journey will also seem to be short through the chats with a colleague.
Put on music
Serenades are not only fun and exciting on a road trip in Uganda but also keeps you awake while driving a long distance route. When you keep the music on, it keeps your mind engaging as you like to your favorite tunes. You can go an extra mile and sing along the music. It will keep you super awake for your entire driving period.
Have some caffeine
Any drink that contains caffeine will keep you awake while driving on a long distance. The caffeine keeps hyperactive and you can never fall off to sleep. Coffee, energy drink or a cola drink will be good for you to keep awake. Note: don’t misuse the caffeine and take an intoxicant or drug that affect your judgment.
Have some little bites
Carrying some smacks like biscuits, crisps, g.nuts, duddies, popcorns and so many helps you keep awake on long distance driving. When you feel tired grab some of the snacks to get some energy back and these also reawakens your mind.
When to know you are sleep driving?
It is actually very difficult to know that you are dosing off while driving but these are some of signs that crop out
The eye lids get heavy and it always feels like hard a thing to open your eyes.
The yawning becomes frequently and uncontrollably. This will also lead into some nodding of the head if not hit on the steering.
Driving errors become rampant while on the roads, you start missing out on road signs and radar and also the corners and turns become so hard.
What to do?
When the above signs come or show, please stop the car to a nearby popular structure/establishment
Get out of the car and do some stretching to let the blood flow in its right form
Get some refreshments and food at the nearby eatery
Or get a short nap of about 2 hours to save yourself from getting an accident due to a small issue that would have been solved right away.