We live in the most exciting city in the world- New York City! However, you may agree that not all areas of the city are exciting, especially some of the roads and highways in Brooklyn. One of the most notorious highways with the highest snooze factor is the Belt Parkway. Driving along the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn or Queens, with its lack of attractive scenery, is bound to put someone to sleep. This risk can increase substantially while driving at night or with a lack of sleep. To encourage safe and alert driving in Brooklyn, below are some tips to prevent drowsy and sleepy driving.
Before you hit the road, make sure you:
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Get enough sleep - Make sure to get a good nights sleep, especially if you are planning on driving for a long time. It is recommended that adults get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. Teens require even more- 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 hours per night.
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Travel with someone - If you are planning a long trip, take someone with you. Your companion can help you stay awake by engaging in a conversation. Your companion can also watch you to make sure you are not falling asleep. It is a big plus if your buddy has a drivers license. This way, he/she can step in and drive to give you a break.
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Avoid long distances at night - You are more prone to become sleepy if you are driving at night. Therefore, you should try to avoid driving long distances when it is dark. If you must drive at night, try to take a break every 2 hours to refresh yourself and give yourself a change of scenery.
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Avoid alcohol and certain medications - It is dangerous and illegal to drink alcohol and drive. However, even drinking a small amount can impair your senses and make you more drowsy. It is best to avoid alcohol altogether, especially if you know that you are in for a long drive. Certain medications, whether prescribed or over the counter, may make you drowsy. Some of these medications are very commonly used, such as Benadryl, an antihistamine used for allergies. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist to find out if any of your medications may make you drowsy.
We hope that you use these tips to prevent a sleep-related crash in Brooklyn and that you make the right choices to prevent sleepy driving. To see more tips on preventing a fall-asleep crash, click here. Stay safe on the road!
Source: www.drowsydriving.org