Drivers, if you are feeling tired, stop as soon as possible. Take a nap by the road, ideally for 20 or 30 minutes. Wolfgang Kumm/dpa/dpa-tmnIf you feel tired while you are driving, it is essential to stop and rest.An accident can be extremely dangerous, particularly for drivers so if you realise your eyelids feel heavy or you feel a chill whilst driving should take these warning signs of tiredness seriously. TTiredness impairs driving ability just as severely as alcohol, says Germany's TÜV Süd.Not only does this lead to problems with concentration, but reaction times can also slow down significantly and drivers may overestimate their abilities.AdvertisementAdvertisementBear in mind above all that closing your eyes while driving is life-threatening, no matter how briefly.Say you close your eyes for just three seconds whilst travelling at 100, you will cover over 80 metres completely blind, Tüv Süd says.How to stay alert while drivingBritain's RAC automotive association has the following tips to stay alert:Include 15-minute breaks for every two hours of driving when planning a journeyIf you start to feel sleepy, find a safe place to stop as soon as possibleDrink two cups of coffee or other high caffeine drinks and have a rest to allow time for the caffeine to kick inAvoid making long trips between midnight-6 am and 2-4 pm when natural alertness is lowShare the driving if possibleAvoid eating a big meal before driving – remember this when stopping at a service station for a bite to eat!AdvertisementAdvertisementOptimize your napRest adequately before setting out on a long journey, says the RAC. That way you can prevent moments of microsleep.Take regular breaks on long journeys. And at the very first warning signs, don't hesitate to head for the nearest car park.All other efforts are merely treating the symptoms, says TÜV Süd.The good news is that the necessary nap doesn't have to – and shouldn't – last any longer than about 10 to 20 minutes.A brief sleep is better as the longer you nap, the greater the likelihood of entering deeper stages of sleep.However, if you can't actually sleep properly but have to wake up and carry on driving, you'll often feel groggy or even more tired than before you fell asleep.AdvertisementAdvertisementYou can also have a cup of coffee, even before taking your power nap.Although it contains caffeine, it reportedly only takes effect after 30 minutes. By then you should already be awake again anyway, but it doesn't interfere with falling asleep and could enhance the refreshing effect.However, coffee on its own is not a suitable substitute for sleep.In general, listen to your body and pay attention to your internal clock.Biologically speaking, people generally experience low points between 2 and 5 am and again in the afternoon around 2 pm.
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