We all know about some of the most hazardous things you can do behind the wheel: drinking, texting, driving recklessly, and the like. But have you considered that the most dangerous thing you might do is get in your car and drive too late at night?

Fatigued, or drowsy driving is just as dangerous as any other hazard behind the wheel — and because it can sneak up on you, it may be hard to spot before it’s too late. But that doesn’t make it any less deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationreports that drowsy driving is the cause of more than 100,000 crashes per year. These crashes result in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths annually.

Getting sleepy behind the wheel is so dangerous because even if you don’t fall asleep (and presumably, drive off the road), your driving skills are impaired. The Centers for Disease Control reports that drowsiness can make you less attentive, slows your reaction time, and can affect your ability to make decisions. And when seconds count on the road, a sleepy driver is a serious hazard.

Drowsy driving is a problem that is all too prevalent. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than half (60%) of all adult drivers reported driving a vehicle while drowsy within the past year — and 37% admit to actually falling asleep at the wheel. Some even make it a habit: of those who have fallen asleep, 13% reported that it happens at least once a month.

It’s easy to understand how drowsy driving happens: you’re out late and night and just want to get home, or you’re on the last hour or two of a long trip, and you’re just ready toget there. It’s inconvenient to stop and rest, or prolong your time on the road with breaks. But, those same rests and breaks that seem inconvenient at the time just might keep you alert and save your life.

There are a number of ways to fight fatigue behind the wheel, and we asked experts to weigh in with their best advice for staying awake while driving. You can rest up ahead of time, take plenty of breaks, and plan your day so that you won’t have to drive too far in a single day. Read on to learn about these tips and more that can help you stay awake and alive.

Know the Symptoms of Fatigue

First, you should know what you’re up against. If you’re faced with dangerous drowsiness, can you recognize it before it becomes a problem? You should always watch out for signs that you’re dangerously fatigued.

DMV.com‘s driving safety expert Jordan Perch says that the most common symptoms include yawning, having trouble focusing, slower reaction times, wandering thoughts, drifting away from your lane, stiffness, and cramps. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to pull over and assess just how tired you are — and maybe go ahead and stop for a nap or a good night’s sleep.

Other warning signs include frequent blinking, difficulty remembering the past few miles, missing exits, or hitting a rumble strip, according to auto accident attorney Steven Gursten.

Get Plenty of Rest Ahead of Time

Knowing the signs of fatigue is important, but preventing fatigue on the road is even more essential. And perhaps the easiest way to stop fatigue before it starts is to plan to rest up before you hit the road.

“Getting a good night’s sleep before going on a long trip is the best way to prevent driver fatigue,” says Perch. “Even if you are not preparing for a long-distance drive, sleeping about 7-8 hours each night ensures you are fresh enough and have the energy to stay alert while driving during the day.”

Chloe Lykes with Gray Matter Metrics suggests reducing your driving time significantly if you didn’t get a good night’s sleep, or if you’ve been sleep deprived. Further, she encourages drivers to pay attention to the total number of hours you have been awake, not just how many hours you have been driving.

Don’t Drive Alone

When you’re driving, the buddy system can save your life. Gursten suggests arranging for a travel companion that you can talk with to stay awake and engaged. And, he says, they can share in the driving, too, so if you’re too tired to drive safely, they can take over.

Take Plenty of Breaks

Even if you’re well rested, it’s easy to get tired when you’re on the road. Driving is tough, and it can take the energy right out of you. That’s why it’s important to take regular breaks.

When driving long distances, Perch recommends stopping every two to three hours. On these breaks, you should get out of your car, stretch your legs, and get some fresh air. A snack, fresh drink, and a bathroom break can refresh you as well. And no matter how many breaks you take, says Perch, remember that it’s best not to drive for more than 10 hours total in a single day.

Bill Akintoye with Shabana Motors encourages drivers to prepare in advance for a long day of driving. “Map out rest stops for the ride, and make sure you’re not taking any medication that could contribute to drowsiness while on the road,” he says.

And when taking breaks, it’s important that you try to get active. Jason Lancaster, editor of AccurateAutoAdvice.com recommends doing jumping jacks to change things up. “Part of the reason people get tired behind the wheel is the monotony of driving,” he says.

Plan to Drive Early

Early birds who hit the road in the wee hours of the morning have the right idea: driving early is often a safer move than meandering out the door later in the morning or afternoon.

Starting your trip early in the morning can help you avoid driving late into the night. Lykes points out that even if you don’t expect delays, they can still happen, and push your arrival time at your hotel for the night or destination later than you’d like. And driving too late into the night can be especially dangerous: you’ll be tired, and on top of that, driving at night means you have limited visibility — a potentially deadly combination.

Always Rest if You’re in Doubt

It’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why it’s a good idea to simply rest if you have any doubt about your energy level. You may be more tired than you think.

Greg Dotson, program director and lead instructor for Peak Technical Institute’s Commercial Driver (CDL) training program says, “Many drivers think they can push through, but there is no such thing as beating it. The safest thing to do when you are feeling sleepy is to safely park your vehicle and get some rest. Never take the risk; safety is literally in your hands.”

If you feel that you’re getting too tired to drive, Tiffany Everett with ZExpressions Hospitality suggests simply staying at a hotel overnight. That way, you can sleep for at least a few hours and retackle the drive once you’ve had a chance to rest up.

Even if you don’t have time to stop and check in to a hotel, a short rest can make a big difference. Akintoye says it’s a smart idea to pull over and take a nap. “Studies shows that 20 minutes is best for revitalizing and getting back on the road,” he says. “Caffeine breaks won’t last long, but can be helpful for maintaining alertness.”

Strategic naps can really help, says Emma Galland with Goji Fitness. She recommends a short 10 to 15 minute nap, but she warns that anything beyond 20 minutes may not be a good idea unless you’re ready to sleep for a while. Beyond 20 minutes, she says, the sleeper enters REM sleep and will feel drowsy unless he or she sleeps for a full cycle, which is about 90 minutes.

Pay Attention to Your Position

How you sit and what you do behind the wheel can make a difference in your drowsiness and safety level. That’s why Akintoye recommends avoiding reclining your seat while driving: leaning back and getting comfortable might make you more sleepy. And if there’s any chance you might drift off, never use cruise control, or you just might drive off the road at full speed while sleeping.

Eat Energy Boosting Food

For some drivers, road trips are a fun time to eat junk food, but if you’re concerned with staying awake, the drive thru is the last place you should hit. Heavy, fat laden foods can put a drag on your energy and make you feel sluggish behind the wheel. Instead, stock up on healthy snacks that will feed your energy and help you stay awake.

“There are foods that help us feel alert and high energy, diminishing fatigue, such as coffee and chocolate, or uplifting foods such as dark leafy greens,” says Galland.

Galland recommends avoiding foods that contribute to feelings of lethargy, such as dairy, meat, fried foods, processed grains, and baked goods. She notes that foods that require a large digestive effort will typically cause drowsiness and should be avoiding. Galland also recommends steering clear of table sugar because after the initial rush, it can cause a crash and drowsiness. In its place, she encourages choosing natural sugars from fresh fruit.

Never Drink and Drive

This should go without saying, but it’s never a good idea to drink and drive. And the already dangerous situation of drinking and driving is made even worse if you’re tired, too. Of course, drinking can make you feel even more fatigued behind the wheel as well.

“Even a small amount of alcohol in your bloodstream can make you sleepy and reduce your reaction time and impair your judgment, so you should never sit behind the wheel right after you have been drinking,” says Perch. “Get a cab or arrange for a designated driver to take you home instead.”

Stay Entertained

Break up the monotony that lulls you to sleep with entertainment that can keep you engaged and active. Everett suggests picking out your favorite music that you can sign along to — and to sing as loudly as you can! She also recommends investing in a Bluetooth headset that will allow you to make calls on the road if you’re driving alone. Calling friends or family members can help you stay alert.

Watch Out for Exhaust Leaks

While driving too many hours, too late at night, or while impaired can cause driver fatigue, there’s one factor that could be all your car’s fault: an exhaust leak. If you find that you’re constantly tired when you drive your car, you may have a problem. Exhaust leaks can result in carbon monoxide in your car’s interior, which is dangerous, says Lancaster. At small concentrations, it can cause you to fall asleep. At high concentrations, it is deadly. If you suspect your vehicle may have a problem with the exhaust system, stop by a trusted mechanic to inspect it immediately.

Test Your Ability

Think you can drive late into the night? Think again — or prove it with an app. UsingCogSpeed, an app originally designed to test truck drivers and others in hazardous occupations for alertness and ability to perform their duties. This app is designed to test your cognitive response in as little as 70 to 90 seconds, and can be used on a phone, tablet, and other mobile devices. This is a great tool for quickly finding out if you’re truly too tired to drive safely.

Article via Direct Buy Auto Safety and the original article is available here.