Don't Nod Off Behind the Wheel: Your Go-To Guide for Beating Driver Fatigue on Long Trips in 2023

by AutoExpert   |  12 September, 2023

Share :

Hey everyone, who's up for a long drive? The wind in your hair, your fave playlist blasting, the feeling of freedom—awesome, right? But let's get real. The longer the drive, the tougher it gets to keep those peepers open. Time to tackle the big snooze issue.

The Scary Part: Why We Can't Ignore This

Get this—every year, nearly 100,000 car crashes in the U.S. are caused by driver fatigue. Yeah, that's a number that should have us all sitting up straighter in our seats.

Driver Fatigue

The Game Plan: Pencil In Those Breaks!

Before you hit the road, make a plan to pull over every couple of hours. Trust us, your future self will thank you. Get out, stretch those legs, maybe do a happy dance—anything to get that blood pumping!

Seriously, Try This: NASA says a 10-minute power nap can up your alertness by a whopping 54%. Maybe stash a comfy pillow in the back seat?

Driver Fatigue

Drinks, Anyone?: Stay Hydrated, but Skip the Sugar

Keep a water bottle handy, but ixnay on the energy drinks and venti lattes. They'll just set you up for a major crash later on.

Tea Time?: Herbal teas like peppermint can give you a gentle pick-me-up without the jitters.

Driver Fatigue

Crank Up the Volume: Your Playlist Matters

Your playlist can be a real lifesaver. Pick tunes that get your head bopping and your fingers tapping.

You Gotta Hear This: Music with a fast tempo can make you more focused. Who knew?

Driver Fatigue

A Little Wiggle: Easy Exercises You Can Do in the Car

Stuck in traffic or at a long red light? Do some wrist rolls or neck stretches. It’s not a gym workout, but it’s something!

Driver Fatigue

Two's Company: Sharing the Driving Load

If you're not flying solo, share the driving. Plus, it’s a heck of a lot easier to stay awake when you’ve got someone to talk—or argue about directions—with.

Driver Fatigue

Your Car’s Got Your Back: Cool Tech in 2023

Cars are getting smarter, folks. Some models can actually tell if you’re dozing off and give you a nudge—or even a beep—to keep you on track.

Techie Talk: Tesla's got this cool feature that switches to defensive driving mode if it senses you're not at 100%.

Driver Fatigue

Hit the Road, but Don't Hit the Zzzs

And that’s the rundown! Whether it's a big family vacation or just you chasing the horizon, you’ve got this. So go ahead, plan that epic road trip—but remember, stay alert and make it a safe journey!

Recomended:

From Workhorse to Status Symbol: How the Pickup Truck Quietly Took Over America’s Roads - Photo
Others
From Workhorse to Status Symbol: How the Pickup Truck Quietly Took Over America’s Roads

Picture a grocery-store parking lot in 1993: Tauruses, Accords, maybe a stray Explorer. Fast-forward to the same lot in 2026 and you’re surrounded by tailgates. Statistically that feeling is

AutoExpert
I Tried Ceramic Coating So You Don’t Waste $1,500: Here’s the Unvarnished Truth - Photo
Tips & Tricks
I Tried Ceramic Coating So You Don’t Waste $1,500: Here’s the Unvarnished Truth

I still remember the day I fell for the pitch.My hatchback had just come out of a basic wash, and the detailer, towel in hand, grinned like he’d discovered electricity. “If you reall

AutoExpert
EV Batteries Don't Just Die and Get Thrown Away. Here's the Surprisingly Cool Thing That Happens Next. - Photo
Others
EV Batteries Don't Just Die and Get Thrown Away. Here's the Surprisingly Cool Thing That Happens Next.

One of the most common questions people have about electric vehicles never really gets answered in car reviews or commercials: what happens when the battery eventually dies?It's a fair questio

AutoExpert
Kia Carnival Owners Need To Check This Recall Before The Next Family Drive - Photo
Car News
Kia Carnival Owners Need To Check This Recall Before The Next Family Drive

A minivan recall never sounds dramatic at first. It sounds like paperwork. A letter in the mail. A service appointment to squeeze in between school pickup, groceries, work, and the 47 other t

AutoExpert
Dealers Are Practically Paying You to Take a New Car Right Now (If You Know Where to Look) - Photo
Car News
Dealers Are Practically Paying You to Take a New Car Right Now (If You Know Where to Look)

If you've been waiting for the right moment to buy a new car, you might want to stop waiting.Fresh data from Kelley Blue Book, released this week, shows that new-vehicle prices moderated in Ma

AutoExpert
Is Your Car's Odometer Lying to You? Over 2 Million Vehicles on U.S. Roads Have Been Tampered With - Photo
Tips & Tricks
Is Your Car's Odometer Lying to You? Over 2 Million Vehicles on U.S. Roads Have Been Tampered With

When you buy a used car, you probably check the vehicle history report, poke around the exterior for dents, and maybe take it for a short test drive. That covers a lot of ground. But there is one scam

AutoExpert
Peugeot Brings Back The GTi With The Electric e-208 GTi - Photo
Car News
Peugeot Brings Back The GTi With The Electric e-208 GTi

Peugeot is bringing the GTi badge back, except now it’s attached to an electric hatchback instead of a noisy little gasoline engine. The production e-208 GTi will make its full debut on June 12,

AutoExpert
This Faux Land Cruiser Is Actually A Toyota Probox Underneath - Photo
Tuning
This Faux Land Cruiser Is Actually A Toyota Probox Underneath

Somehow, the Toyota Probox has become one of Japan’s favorite blank canvases for weird and surprisingly charming custom builds. The latest example comes from Goosfam, which looked at the hu

AutoExpert
Venuum Turned The Mercedes G-Class Into A Wild Four-Door Convertible - Photo
Tuning
Venuum Turned The Mercedes G-Class Into A Wild Four-Door Convertible

Mercedes-Benz is still working on its own G-Class Cabriolet, but Venuum clearly got impatient and built one first. The result is called the Mastodon V4, and it takes the already attention-hungry G-Wag

AutoExpert
Rare Michelotto Ferrari F40 Could Sell For Over $4 Million - Photo
Car News
Rare Michelotto Ferrari F40 Could Sell For Over $4 Million

Some Ferrari F40s spent their lives sealed away in collections. This one ended up in the hands of the people who built Le Mans race cars and came back far more extreme than Ferrari ever intended.T

AutoExpert