How To Avoid Feeling Sleepy When Driving in Nigerian Roads

For many people who commute to work or drive for a living, drowsy driving may seem like an unavoidable part of life. Driving while sleepy, on the other hand, can be just as dangerous as driving while inebriated or under the influence of drugs. Continue reading this article to find out how to combat sleepiness and stay attentive when driving on Nigerian roads.

HOW TO AVOID FEELING SLEEPY WHEN DRIVING IN NIGERIAN ROADS

In the following paragraphs, we’ll talk about the best strategies to avoid falling asleep behind the wheel.

AVOID DRINKING ALCOHOL

If you wish to drive, and even while driving, stay away from alcohol. Drowsiness can be aided by a small amount of alcohol. Driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely risky for both the driver and the passengers.

Furthermore, always buy fresh foods when driving and avoid quick food.

Moreover, limiting yourself by eliminating chocolate and sweets while driving may be beneficial because you will avoid eating excessive amounts of sugar from processed foods. It’s important to remember that too much sugar might make you weary and sleepy.

TAKE A NAP BEFOREHAND

Taking a nap is the greatest way to avoid falling asleep while driving in Lagos. A power sleep, according to Sleep Advisor, is particularly helpful in refreshing your brain. It improves your alertness.

If you start to feel sleepy while driving, pull over to a safe nearby parking area. To avoid oversleeping and waking up the next morning, set your alarm for a 15 to 20-minute power nap.

If you’re really fatigued, take a nap before driving. Taking a quick snooze before hitting the road can help make up for a lack of sleep the night before.

SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT

Sleep deprivation is a problem that many people in today’s world face. Even if you have a hectic schedule, make sleep a priority. You should be obtaining 7-9 hours of sleep per night. If you’re having trouble going asleep, try not to use your smartphone.

Definitely, you can’t rule out the power of nature. So you ought to sleep for at least 6 hours in the night.

TAKE A CHEWING GUM

Gum chewing keeps your mouth occupied, while jaw smacking and bubble blowing keep your eyes occupied. Passively occupying yourself will assist you in focusing and staying awake. Pick up a couple of packs of chewing gum the next time you go shopping. If you start to feel drowsy, chew some gum.

You can choose sugar-free gum instead of sugar-containing gum because it is more healthier. To keep your taste senses guessing, try a range of brands and varieties.

HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE

Caffeine is the most widely used stimulant in the planet. It can help you get through a number of other drowsy periods of your day, so why not try it while driving?

According to a 2012 study by Trusted Source, even one cup of coffee can help alleviate the affects of sleep deprivation, which might make you drowsy while driving.

INCREASE THE VOLUME OF YOUR CAR MUSIC TO 90 DECIBELS

Make use of your car’s radio system if you’re feeling tired. Over 55 decibels is known to cause sleep disruptions and irritation, therefore 90 dB can preclude sleep.

If your car’s radio doesn’t have a decibel meter, make an educated guess. Increase the radio volume till the noise is loud enough to keep you awake.

USING A WET WIPE TO WIPE YOUR FACE

Keep a clean handkerchief and water in your car at all times. This is the quickest and most convenient way to wash your face without needing to wait. Wet your handkerchief and wipe your face if you’re feeling sleepy.

Using wet wipes to wipe your face can also help you stay alert. It gives you a boost of energy to keep you awake while driving.

DRIVE WITH SOMEONE

You can bring someone else along with you while driving if it is possible. Having someone to converse with and gist with while driving will assist you avoid falling asleep.

Having another person in the car who can drive might also help you stay aware because you can take turns driving. When you’re feeling really fatigued, have the other person drive for a while.

We believe if you practice those tactics, you will be able to overcome sleep while you’re driving.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU’RE SLEEPY WHILE DRIVING

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re still sleepy while driving.

WHEN SHOULD YOU STOP DRIVING?

The aforementioned tactics don’t always work since your mind and body are simply too exhausted to drive.

Here are some red flags indicating you should get off the road right away:

• You yawn a lot and uncontrollably.
• You have no recollection of driving for a few kilometers.
• Your mind is constantly roaming and you are not paying attention to what is going on around you.
• Your eyelids appear to be thicker than usual.
• You notice your head tilting or falling to one side.
• You immediately realize you’ve crossed a rumble strip or into another lane.
• You get a honk from a vehicle in the next lane for speeding.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others if you detect one or more of these items while driving:

• As soon as possible, pull over.
• Find a peaceful spot to park where you won’t be disturbed by noise or other people.
• Remove the key from the ignition and close the doors.
• To fall asleep in your car, find a comfy spot.
• Allow yourself at least 15 to 20 minutes of sleep. If you’re not in a rush, sleep until you naturally wake up.

CONCLUSION

Here are some crucial takeaways before we conclude up. Driving while drowsy is dangerous. It can be considerably riskier than driving while intoxicated. To stay awake while driving, use some of the aforementioned tactics. Also, if you frequently find yourself drowsy, don’t be afraid to look into other modes of transportation. That’s our take on this article on the effective ways to avoid feeling sleepy when driving in Nigerian roads. We believe you learn a lot of things from this detailed write-up.