EVERY YEAR DROWSY DRIVERS cause more than 100,000 vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The following tips can help you stay awake and alert while driving.

Get Enough Rest
The best way to stay awake while driving is to be sure you’re well-rested. If you’re sleep deprived or fatigued, you’re more likely to fall asleep while driving long distances without rest breaks or driving through the night.

To avoid driver fatigue:

• GET ENOUGH SLEEP. You’re more likely to fall asleep at the wheel if you haven’t had seven or eight hours of rest the night before a long trip.
• DON’T BEGIN A LONG DRIVING TRIP LATE IN THE DAY. Start in the morning when you’re fresh and alert.
• AVOID LONG DRIVES AT NIGHT. The glare of lights on your dashboard and outside your car increases the danger of highway hypnosis.
• AVOID ALCOHOL. Stop for light meals and snacks and drink plenty of water.
• BE AWARE THAT SOME MEDICATIONS, such as antihistamines and muscle relaxers, can cause drowsiness. Don’t take them when you’re driving.

Keep Moving
Keeping your body moving can help keep you alert.

To do so:

• SIT UP STRAIGHT with your shoulders back. When you’re sitting with slumped shoulders, you’re restricting lung volume, and the less oxygen that reaches the brain, the sleepier you become.
• DON’T USE CRUISE CONTROL; keep your body involved in driving.
• TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS. Stop at a gas station or restaurant at least every 100 miles or every two hours. Get out of the car, take a short walk and stretch.

Eat Right
Avoid turkey and other foods loaded with tryptophan, which can make you sleepy.

Stay away from sugary foods and drinks, such as sodas, sweets, corn chips and bread. High-sugar foods can give you an immediate rush but can make you tired shortly thereafter.

Instead, choose high-protein foods that keep your blood sugar up, such as baked chicken or celery with cream cheese and nuts.

Baby Your Eyes
Hours staring at the road can irritate your eyes. If your eyes become strained and dry, insert a few drops of artificial tears to soothe and refresh them.

Spotty and blurry vision can occur after many miles of driving. Take a break and use artificial tears to clear your vision.

For more information, visit the National Sleep Foundation Web site at www.sleepfoundation.org, click on Publications, then Wake Up!

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