Can you catch 40 winks in 20 minutes? Whether it’s the mid afternoon slump or early evening snooze, it’s all the rage. For my old man it was just a sign of, well, becoming an old man. But times have changed. The power nap suddenly has street cred and did you know that it could even save your life…
The RSA reports that driver fatigue could be a contributory factor in 1 in 5 deaths in Ireland. Can you imagine the horrific impact here? Your body is limp and asleep and therefore you make no last second evasive move. Just bang and the lights go out for good.
The only way to combat this fatigue is not to drive when you’re feeling knackered. It’s common sense really. But common sense is often left behind in amongst the carnage after people lumber into their cars after a bad night’s sleep or a tough day in the office.
Once your eyes start getting heavy in the car then you are in trouble. Turning up the radio, rolling down the windows or pulling over and stretching your legs will only have a temporary effect. The underlying problem will reappear quickly and you will once again become a danger on the road.
There is only one way to battle this problem and that is through the power of caffeine and snoozing. Stop at your nearest petrol station and buy a coffee. The caffeine usually takes 20 mintues to kick in so here is where your power nap comes in handy. Sleep for 20 mins and when you wake you should be alert again. This is not an ideal solution but it might just save your life.
The August bank holiday weekend is fast approaching and this means busy road and dangerous driving. In Ireland, the RSA and Topaz run a ‘driver reviver’ campaign to help avoid accidents through tiredness. It involves giving out free coffee at their petrol stations. You should take advantage of this offer and keep yourself alert on the road.
The main thing when you get into a car is to arrive home safely. The consequences of falling asleep at the wheel are very severe. So try to take extra care on bank holiday weekends.
AXA car insurance Ireland provide comprehensive insurance to help protect you against fatigue related accidents. Buy the cheapest motor insurance in Ireland online today.



Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Youtube