We’ve all been there. You finish an eight or twelve-hour shift and are exhausted. Your head bobs and you cannot seem to keep your eyes open. You know that as soon as your head hits the pillow you’ll be out like a light. The only trouble is, you still have to drive back to your lodgings. Depending on the length of the drive, this can be a considerable undertaking while tired.
Driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Being awake for 18-hours and then getting behind the wheel is the same as driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05% which, in some jurisdictions, is illegal. For reference, a blood alcohol level of 0.08% is considered drunk. The longer you have been awake, the higher the blood alcohol level equivalency.
Driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Being awake for 18-hours and then getting behind the wheel is the same as driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05% which, in some jurisdictions, is illegal. For reference, a blood alcohol level of 0.08% is considered drunk. The longer you have been awake, the higher the blood alcohol level equivalency.
When you are working 12-hour shifts, it’s quite possible you could be awake for anywhere from 18-20+ hours. The last thing you want is to risk your safety and the safety of others on the road by driving tired. The best way to prevent driving drowsy is to ensure you are getting adequate amounts of sleep before and after your shift. Take time to relax before bed, and allow yourself between six and eight hours of quality sleep every night. It’s also a good idea to double check any medications you are taking to ensure they will not make you drowsy after taking them. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and these simple steps make it easy to remain focused and awake while on the road.
