HUMAN error is the most common cause of road accidents, and this is usually brought about by what is called "driver fatigue."

Fatigue dulls the mind and slows down nerve and muscular responses, making drivers more vulnerable to road mishaps.

Positivelycoffee.org cited a study from the UK Department of Tourism suggesting "that 1 crash in 10 is due to drivers nodding off–twice the number of accidents caused by speeding." Road statistics from Australia, New Zealand and Italy likewise identified driver fatigue as a significant factor in vehicular accidents.

Continuous driving for long periods is one of the main causes of driver fatigue. It results in eye strain and sleepiness. How many times have we heard of sleepy truck drivers on inter-provincial trips get into nasty road accidents?

If you are about to embark on a long journey after a day’s work or have to get up unusually early for a long vacation drive, don’t put yourself at risk. To ensure a safe journey, it is therefore recommended that make a quick stop at the nearest convenience store, have a warm cup or two of Nescafe and take a nap for about 15 minutes.

According to a 1999 study on vehicle accidents related to sleep, drinking coffee and taking a nap significantly reduced major and minor driving incidents, and had a powerful effect in suppressing sleepiness and signs of drowsiness.

Drinking coffee also helps you stay awake throughout your driving route. Coffee helps release dopamine, a brain chemical that stimulates the areas of your brain that helps keep you feeling sharp and alert. This effect is otherwise known as the coffee jolt.

Coffee also helps combat sleep inertia, according to a study done by the University of Pennsylvania. Sleep inertia is the state of sleepiness or grogginess that people experience after waking.

The study indicates that coffee helps warm up the parts of the brain that handles problem solving and complex thought–parts that you use while driving.

For a safer travel, it is also important to plan your trips and activities. This will help you avoid instances where you’re forced to drive when you haven’t had enough sleep, or when you’re in a hurry to catch an appointment.

Lastly, be aware of your current condition. If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleepiness while driving, take a break and do not take your chances.