Recently a person near and dear to me fell asleep behind the wheel  with two little kids in the back of the car.

This person is a professional. He is a hard worker. He loves his boys. And he thought he was fine to drive.

Until he woke up having crashed into a wall on the turnpike.

He got a miracle and a big wake-up call (excuse the pun). He suffered a concussion, and the car was totaled, but the kids were not hurt.

As a person who gets up at 3:30 am and relies on a nap each afternoon to make up for a sleep deficit, I am hyper-vigilant about staying awake behind the wheel.

Although my suggestions may not be recommended professionally, here are the lengths I will go to do NOT fall asleep while driving:

1) First of all, get a good night's sleep, or take a nap before you know you have to drive. Even a few minutes of closing your eyes and resting before you start driving will help.

2) I avoid the Parkway or major highways at all costs, since a high rate of speed and just driving for miles and miles could lull me to sleep. Instead I take roads with traffic lights and lots of places to pull over if I start to feel tired, so that I can grab a cup of coffee or take a quick power nap in a parking lot.

3) I always carry gum and a snack in the car. I find that if I am chewing, I am awake. An apple works well, or a power bar, and a cold bottle of water is good too.

4) I call someone to chat. Since I have an awesome hands-free, blue tooth screen in my car, I can make a call and talk on the phone with both hands on the wheel. Having a good conversation with someone is guaranteed to keep me awake.

5) If you're taking a road trip, plan to make the long drive when you are at your freshest, which, for me, is first thing in the morning. I also find it easier to drive in the dark. It's that noontime or late afternoon sun beating down on me while I'm behind the wheel that makes me tired.

6) Blast the air conditioning or open the car windows and let the breeze hit you. (Heck, even smack yourself in the face if you need stimulation to stay awake.)

7) Know the signs! If you know you are getting drowsy take one or more of the actions I have listed here. Don't try to go any further until you do.

8) I keep this on hand in case I feel really tired...because someone found it online and got it for me.

wake up
(photo by liz jeressi)
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I haven't been desperate enough to need it, but I did give it a trial run just to see if it worked. The beep is so loud that it might cause ear damage. You put it behind your ear, and if your head were to drop because you fell asleep, the beep would sound (although I think that by the time your head drops, it's already too late.)  My son thinks this should be re-marketed as a way to keep people from texting while driving, since you'd look down the same way to check your phone!

9) Drive with another licensed driver that can keep you engaged in conversation, or that can take over the driving if need be.

10) Books-on-tape or a good downloaded show that you can listen could also help, if you are engaged in what the storyline is. Or, a comedian and lots of your own laughter could give you a boost!

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