A long or very repetitive trip to your work or parents can cause you to start daydreaming behind the wheel. This can have grave consequences: your reaction time increases, you wrongly judge traffic situations and you start making wrong decisions. It is in your best interest to stay aware behind the wheel. Thanks to our five tips, you’ll always stay alert on the road from now on.
Lower the heating, open a window
It is, certainly in wintertime, tempting to turn the heat all the way up and to enjoy the pleasant temperature. However, it is not a good idea for your awareness. A hot car has the same effect as a 0.5 per mille alcohol level. By setting the heating a tad lower and opening the window, your internal thermostat needs to keep working and you’ll stay a lot more alert.
Eat in moderation
A very full stomach leads to the well-known after-dinner drowsiness, but hunger also makes it difficult to concentrate on the road. It is recommended to regularly eat healthy snacks when on the road. Fruit and nuts give the perfect energy boost, without giving you a sugar crash half an hour later.
Talk with your passenger
If you’re on the road with a passenger, this is the ideal moment to begin a conversation. You’ll stay aware and you’ll get to know each other even better.
Or crank the music really loud
Are you alone in the car? Set the volume all the way up to obnoxious and start screaming along to your music. It is in fact the monotone noises like a buzzing engine that make you sleepy.
Activate your car’s fatigue sensor
A lot of cars dispose of an attention assist, also known as a fatigue sensor. Based on your movements and facial expression, this sensor analyses your state of awareness. As soon as the sensor notices fatigue, you’ll get a message on your dashboard or an alarm will go off.