I am drowsy when I drive

 

I am burning my candle at both ends. I stay up late to write, and I wake up early to write.  I have fallen asleep at my keyboard in the middle of typing.

I am living in the middle of my candle. The wax is melting at both ends, and there is not very much wax left in the middle of the candle.  I don’t get enough sleep at night. I am tired during the day. I feel drowsy when I am driving.

I have drank caffeine to stay awake while I drove, played  music loud, rolled down the windows to get fresh air, pinched myself in the arm, slapped myself in the face, and poured my water bottle down my back. I thought I could always handle my drowsiness when I drove. I had never  fallen asleep.  I didn’t realize how dangerous driving while you were tired was until last summer.

I was driving home on the back roads by myself when I drifted into the oncoming lane. I had fallen asleep for a few seconds. I was greatful there were no other cars on the road.  I kept driving as I was only a few blocks from home. The friend I was suppose to see later that afternoon was understanding when I cancelled our appointment. I took a nap.

I will have to choose which end of my candle to burn, and I will follow the guidelines I read at Driving Drowsy.org. I give them full credit.  I really have to take better care of myself. I could kill someone.

1.  Stop driving
2.  Take a nap
3. Drink a caffeinated beverage.
4. Be aware of rumble strips. 

November 12-18, 2012 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.