Effective Countermeasures
EFFECTIVE COUNTERMEASURES
Before motorists embark on their trips, they should:
- Get a good night's sleep. While this varies from individual to individual, the average person requires about 8 hours of sleep a night.
- Plan to drive long trips with a companion. Passengers can help look for early warning signs of fatigue or switch drivers when needed. Passengers should stay awake to talk to the driver.
- Schedule regular stops, every 160 kilometers or 2 hours.
- Avoid alcohol and medications (over-the-counter and prescribed) that may impair performance. Alcohol interacts with fatigue; increasing its effects — just like drinking on an empty stomach.
- Consult their physicians or a local sleep disorders center for diagnosis and treatment if they suffer frequent daytime sleepiness, have difficulty sleeping at night often, and/or snore loudly every night.
