Wake-up Call: Drowsy Driving Can Have Dire Consequences

The clock struck midnight just as Nathan Lee pulled out of his driveway near Georgia Southern University, determined to make it back home to Texas by midday to make the most of his holiday break with his family and friends in his hometown of Flower Mound.

It was only an hour into the drive before he caught himself nodding off, waking up just moments before he would have driven down an embankment.

“I remember feeling an immediate cold streak in my gut,” Lee recalls. “I was shaking, and I had to pull off into a rest area to sleep. I think the monotony of the road and being the only one out there just made it worse. Now I find it doesn’t take long for me to get sleepy on the road, even in the daytime. I’ll never do long solo drives anymore.”

Dangers of Drowsy Driving

With winter vacations and holiday trips to see family, it’s more important than ever for Texans to be aware of the dangers of drowsy driving. Each year, millions of Texans hit the roads for their winter holidays — but the wake-up call can often come too late for anyone not prepared to drive wintry roads while tired.

“Winter driving can be difficult enough when the driver is alert,” says Jason Mueller, director of Texas Sleep Docs, a physician-led sleep medicine practice aimed at helping Texans obtain healthy sleep. “Driving while drowsy in winter weather is a bad combination. Not to mention earlier sunsets in winter months lead to visibility issues during more common driving times.”

“We must remember, it isn’t just your safety at stake; it is the safety of everyone on the highway that we should think about,” Mueller says. “One innocent nod could change so many lives forever.”

Staying Alert

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends these tips for staying alert while driving:

• Use public transportation if you’re taking medications that could cause drowsiness as a side effect.
• Avoid driving during the peak drowsy periods (midnight to 6 a.m. and late afternoon).
• Never drive alone for long road trips, and switch drivers every couple of hours or stop to stretch your legs to break up the monotony of the drive.
• Combine your caffeine intake with a 20-minute nap in a safe place when you get sleepy. Studies show coffee and energy drinks alone are not enough to sustain energy on a long trip.
• Use your sunshades and sunglasses while driving.

Does your auto insurance policy cover your needs? Call your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent before you hit the road this winter.

Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms and may vary by situation.