For road travelers, sleep debt can be dangerous to yourself and other drivers as well. If you are planning a road trip, be sure to get plenty of rest the night before. Don’t start out if you’ve had too little sleep or are sleepy when you want to leave. Plan to be refreshed when you depart. Plan your trip according to suggested driving time limits. Don’t plan on driving more than 10 hours per day. Make regular stops every 100 miles or every two hours. Try to avoid taking antihistamines as they can cause drowsiness. Try to drive during the day when you are normally awake and stop when you get tired. It is not a good idea to try to drive straight through. Keep your car temperature cool, turn up the tunes and keep the music selections upbeat. Don’t use cruise control if you can help it. Keep your posture at it’s optimum while driving. Not doing so will make your back tired. Make a few stops along the way for a drink and a light snack. Scan your surrounding s and keep your eyes moistened with blinking, this will help you stay more alert and avoid the trap of falling into a hypnotic focus on the road only. Traveling with a companion can help as they can watch for signs of fatigue before an accident or catastrophe ensues.

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