Many of us think we can keep our minds alert, even when we’re feeling the tug of sleepiness on our brains and bodies. But the truth is that sleep is a powerful biological drive – one that can overtake even the best driver. Rolling down the windows, munching on snacks, and turning up the radio volume – these tricks don’t work. It’s important to know what to look for and how to handle drowsiness to protect the safety of yourself and everyone else on the road.

It’s not always easy to tell when you’re too tired to drive. Here are some signs that it’s time to pull over:

• Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or heavy eyelids.
• Daydreaming; wandering / disconnected thoughts.
• Trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs.
• Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes.
• Trouble keeping your head up / the “bobbing head.”
• Drifting from your lane, tailgating or hitting a lane line rumble strip.
• Feeling restless and irritable.

Well before a person falls asleep while driving, lapses in attention and slowed reaction times make drowsy driving dangerous if not deadly. Driving is a complex activity that involves many small but important decisions with every passing second. Even if you’re “awake,” your brain is not functioning optimally to handle these decisions. Studies show that excessive sleepiness decreases one’s judgment and increases risk-taking.

The best way to make sure your mind and body are in optimal driving shape is to plan ahead and get 7-8 hours of sleep before your drive. Other methods include:

• Take a pre-drive nap. A short nap before a road trip can help make up for a short night’s sleep.
• Take a middrive nap. If you find yourself drowsy while driving, pull over to take a 20-minute nap. Make sure you are in a safe location and remember you’ll be groggy for 15 minutes or so after waking up.
• Use the buddy system. It’s safest to drive with a partner on long trips. Pull over every two hours and switch drivers, the passenger can then take a nap if possible.
• Don’t rush. Better to arrive at your destination safe than on time.
• Do not drink alcohol. Even very small amounts of alcohol will enhance drowsiness.
• Don’t drive between midnight and 6 a.m. Because of your body’s biological rhythm, this is a time when sleepiness is most intense.
• Stay hydrated. Drink water or juice to prevent dehydration, which increases drowsiness.
• Drink caffeine. Caffeine improves alertness, although the effects of caffeine will wear off after several hours.