Drowsy Driving: Know the Risks and How to Stay Awake on the Road

• Drowsiness while driving is a major cause of road accidents, often underestimated by drivers.
• Lack of sufficient sleep (7-8 hours), long night drives, heavy meals, alcohol, and certain medications are primary causes of driver fatigue.
• Recognize early signs like repeated yawning, heavy eyelids, wandering attention, and forgetting recent turns.
• Effective prevention includes adequate sleep before driving, avoiding night drives, taking breaks every 2 hours, and eating light meals.
• If extreme drowsiness occurs, pull over safely for a 15-20 minute power nap to re-alert the brain and reduce accident risk.