Truckers call it "highway hypnosis," a trance-like condition that can hit anyone on a long-distance drive. Experts say the real problem is driving without adequate rest. One survey shows that 52 percent of respondents had driven a vehicle in the last year while they were drowsy. The National Trucking Association warns that drowsiness can creep up on you. Look for these signs:
1. Eyes close or go out of focus.
2. You have trouble keeping your head up or you can't stop yawning.
3. You have wandering, disconnected thoughts.
4. You don't recall driving the last few miles or you miss your exit.
5. You drift out of your lane.
Fight highway hypnosis by moving your eyes from one distant object to another. Take a break or a nap if you are drowsy.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
