applying your smart driving skills Assessing your health Strategies: what to do if you’re not feeling well Staying awake  driving tip Strategies: staying awake You can become unaware  of your surroundings when  you drive for a long time  on a highway or freeway  that doesn’t change much.  This is called highway  hypnosis. Some areas  have installed rumble  strips or rough patches to  warn drivers if they start to  drift into another lane. You  can help avoid highway  hypnosis by turning off the  cruise control, scanning  systematically and using  strategies to stay awake. To keep alert behind the wheel, especially for long journeys:  Being tired is one of the leading causes of crashes. Fatigue  affects all stages of the see-think-do strategy. It can cause you  to scan inaccurately, slow your thinking and lengthen your  reaction time. Even a mild illness like a cold or the flu can affect your alertness.  Over-the-counter medicines can make you drowsy and slow  If you have a health  condition that you  think might impair your  ability to drive, be sure  to check with your  doctor or pharmacist  before getting behind  the wheel. Read labels carefully  before taking medication if  you plan to drive. • Take the bus or get a friend to drive you.  • Read the label carefully if you are taking any  medications. Don’t drive if the label says the drug may  cause drowsiness or dizziness. • Start out well rested.  • Take breaks. Walk around and get some exercise.  • Stop and eat, but avoid heavy meals because they may  make you feel sleepy.  • Keep the heat level moderate.  • Keep a window open for fresh air.  • Sing or talk to keep yourself paying attention.  • Pull over to a rest stop and take a nap (be sure to lock  your doors).  • Don’t drive too far at one time. If you are making a long  trip, be especially careful on the second day. This is  when tiredness is most likely to affect you.  100 your reaction time. 