Photo by CLF (Mercedes 2010)
Here’s a tidbit I found the other day that might cure my drowsy driving problem, if I could only afford it! Mercedes is introducing a new E-Class 2009 sedan that helps with drowsy driving.
AutoWeek magazine reported about a new device called Attention Assist. When it detects that you might be getting tired it sounds an alarm and tells you to pause and take a break. A small coffee cup lights up on the dashboard to encourage you to take a coffee break. The geniuses at Mercedes have been working on this for 10 years and it is now considered one of the safest cars ever made.
I went to the Mercedes website (full disclosure: I don’t own one) to see more and it is quite impressive.
If you haven’t saved enough money with your Geico auto insurance to afford a new Mercedes, here are some free tips I’ve learned for dealing with or avoiding drowsy driving.
I know I need some help because yesterday I took my mom to the doctor early in the morning. Later that afternoon, on our hour drive home around 2:30pm, after much stress, I started to get sleepy. My mom was resting and I didn’t want to interrupt her by turning on the music or making it colder in the car, so I just kept fighting to keep my eyes open. Have you ever had that feeling where you just couldn’t shake off the drowsiness?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates there are at least 100,000 crashes each year as a result of drowsy driving. I could have crashed. And I should’ve awakened my mom and started chatting, or best of all, pulled over for a break. Here’s what the experts recommend if you’re drowsy while driving:
3 Musts when Tired Behind the Wheel
Stop driving immediately and take a break
Drink or eat something with Caffeine
Take a short nap
8 Ways to Prevent Drowsy Driving Accidents
1. Get a full night’s sleep
2. Take breaks
3. Drive during the day
4. Stop driving the moment you feel sleepy
5. Drive with a passenger if you have to drive at night.
6. Never drink alcohol or take sedating medications prior to driving
7. Keep the temperature in the car cool
8. Listen to upbeat music that won’t put you to sleep.
The scariest thing is, drowsy driving is as big a problem, if not bigger, than driving while intoxicated.
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