Severe Drowsiness While Driving: Know the Causes and How to Overcome It!

Severe sleepiness while driving will usually be indicated by the eyes starting to have difficulty opening, the head becoming dizzy, and the body feeling weak. This condition can be very dangerous and can cause serious accidents if not treated properly. Therefore, don’t let this condition of drowsiness while driving or driving go unnoticed. You need to handle it properly, so that your trip remains safe and comfortable.

In this article, we will discuss the main causes of heavy sleepiness while driving, its dangers, and of course, useful tips to overcome this problem. So, for those of you who are curious, let’s read this TransTRACK article to the end, okay?

Causes of Severe Drowsiness While Driving

There are several things that cause heavy sleepiness while driving. Read the following explanation so that you can stay awake while driving, especially when driving a car.

Lack of sleep

Lack of sleep is one of the main causes of heavy sleepiness while driving. Many of us neglect the need for adequate sleep, especially in busy lives. Lack of sleep makes our brain and body weak, so it’s easy to feel sleepy when we have to drive long distances.

Insufficient Quality Sleep

Even if you sleep for a long time, poor quality sleep can also cause heavy sleepiness. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or insomnia can disrupt the quality of your sleep, making you feel tired even after getting enough sleep.

Lack of Fluids (Dehydration)

A body condition that lacks fluids can cause blood circulation to the brain to decrease. This can reduce concentration and ultimately cause severe sleepiness. So, make sure you drink enough water when driving.

Effects of Alcohol and Drug Consumption

Consuming alcohol or certain drugs before driving can affect your nervous system and cause severe drowsiness. In fact, alcohol and certain drugs can make you fall asleep at the wheel.

Air Pollution and Poor Ventilation

Driving in a vehicle with poor ventilation or in areas with high air pollution can cause low oxygen intake. Low oxygen levels obtained when driving will cause lack of focus, dizziness and severe drowsiness.

The Danger of Being Severely Drowsy While Driving

Being heavily sleepy while driving is a very dangerous condition and has many risks, including:

Difficulty Concentrating

When you feel sleepy, your ability to concentrate will decrease drastically. You may have difficulty paying attention to traffic and road signs.

Slow Reaction

Heavy sleepiness can also cause slow reactions to emergency situations. This can have fatal consequences if the vehicle in front of you brakes suddenly.

Passing the Barrier Path

Severe drowsiness can cause you to go off course. This can cause your car to suffer scratches or damage due to sideways friction.

Accident

Heavy sleepiness while driving is one of the main causes of traffic accidents. Accidents caused by sleepy eyes are often more serious because sleeping drivers do not take any precautions beforehand.

Tips for Overcoming Heavy Drowsiness While Driving

After knowing the causes and dangers of driving when you are very sleepy, now let’s look at some tips that can help you overcome them:

Enough sleep

One of the best ways to avoid feeling sleepy is to get enough sleep before starting a long journey. Make sure you have rested well before riding.

Take Regular Breaks

If you’re traveling long distances, it’s important to stop and rest every few hours. Taking a short walk and getting some fresh air can help you stay refreshed.

Consume Snacks

Avoid heavy meals before driving. Instead, consume healthy snacks such as fruit or nuts to keep your energy stable.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

Do not consume alcohol or drugs before or while driving. This can affect your ability to drive safely.

Stretch

You can also do light stretching to relieve sleepiness while driving. Moving your hands, neck and head can help improve your focus.

Listening to music

Listening to music while driving is an easy way to stay focused and alert. Try listening to music that you like so that your mood and concentration quickly improve.

Check Your Health

If you often feel sleepy even though you get enough sleep, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor. Some health problems such as sleep apnea or other sleep disorders may affect the quality of your sleep.

Driving safety is our shared responsibility. Being heavily sleepy while driving is one of the factors that can result in serious accidents on the road. Knowing the causes, recognizing the dangers, and following the tips mentioned can help you overcome the problem of serious sleepiness while driving.

To increase safety when driving, you can use Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology from TransTRACK. ADAS is advanced technology that can help you avoid accidents. The system includes features such as collision warning, adaptive speed control, and lane-keeping assist. Read more about ADAS functions only on the TransTRACK website.

Always remember to drive wisely and responsibly. Safety should always be a top priority on the road. Hopefully this article helps you to be more aware of heavy sleepiness while driving and makes your trip safer. Happy driving!

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