STAY ALERT TO STAY ALIVE (PART 2)

What do singing, carrots and power naps have in common? They can help keep you alert and alive behind the wheel.   This is the second in a two-part series looking at different methods of staying alert on the road.   In part one we looked at the warning signs of fatigue, including yawning, head nodding or drowsiness, as well as some tips for shaking off sleepiness.  In part two we’ll go through some more tips for staying alert.  First off, make use of the resources that already exist.

FREE FATIGUE-BUSTERS

Driver reviver sites operate throughout Australia during school holidays. The sites, run by volunteers from Lions Clubs, SES, Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and Rural Fire Service (RFS), are a great place to take a rest from driving.   If the driver reviver site is open, you can get a free cuppa and maybe even a friendly chat. Many Australian highways have audible tactile line markings, sometimes called rumble strips. These lines alert a driver who is veering out of their lane.   In Queensland, drivers can play fatigue zone trivia while traveling along the Bruce Highway between Maryborough and Bundaberg. The roadside signs ask a series of Queensland-based trivia questions, such as “where is the town Captain Cook first landed?” The answers (in this case the Town of 1770) are posted on a sign five kilometres after the question.   There are a range of other techniques that truck drivers use to stay alert behind the wheel, including eating oranges, chewing gum or drinking cold sparkling water. Some of them may just be a placebo or an old wives (truckers?) tales. But they’re probably worth checking out to see if they work for you.  Here are some popular alertness hacks for staying alert while driving: 

EATING CRUNCHY FOOD

Some truck drivers revive themselves by snacking on something crunchy, such as carrot, rice crackers or almonds. Remember to steer clear of anything too salty, oily or sugary because these foods can make you feel sleepy in the long run. 

DROPPING THE TEMPERATURE 

If you start feeling drowsy behind the wheel, crack the window open or fire up the air-conditioning to freshen up your senses.  

SINGING 

Cranking up some music and singing along can keep your synapses firing. Music is a mood enhancer so it should make you feel happier as well as more alert. Although these practices might relieve any feeling of grogginess for a while, they’re not a replacement for being properly rested. The best cure for fatigue is to sleep. Even a 15- or 20-minute power nap might be enough to restore your alertness. Take a look at how Sherrin Rentals uses its new Isuzu FRR 110-260 MWB Auto, the 250,000th Isuzu truck sold in Australia.