WILLIAM BUSH
There is nothing quite like giving one of your friends a final sendoff before he ties the knot and enters married life. Back when I was an enlisted Soldier stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, one of my buddies was about to get married. We weren’t going to let that happen without one last bang-up party.
We got together and decided to take him to Austin after work that evening. It was a Friday (he was due to get married Sunday) and our platoon sergeant rented a 12-passenger van so we could all ride together. Having listened to my buddies brag about how much they were going to drink and party, I volunteered to be the designated driver. I wanted to make sure we all got back safely.
The platoon sergeant showed up about 7:30 that evening with the van and began picking up everyone. He saved me for last, since I lived closest the highway entrance. Once I boarded the van, my designated driver duties began — especially since the guys in the back had already started drinking. With 15 of us in the van, the back end swayed like a drunken sailor and nearly bottomed out with every bump. I gripped the steering wheel firmly, all the while wondering if the van could handle the weight.
I pulled into a gas station and everyone piled out. You should have seen the looks the other customers gave us. My guess is they were wondering how many people we’d managed to cram into that van. After hitting the bathroom, several of my friends bought more beverages before climbing back into the van. It was party time again, the van’s rear end bobbing as we drove toward Austin. When we got there, we had a blast. I monitored the other guys, making sure none of them got the bachelor into trouble.
It was about 4 a.m. when we decided it was time to head back to Killeen. Everyone else had passed out, so I rolled down my window to help me stay awake during the drive. The platoon sergeant was up front with me to ensure we made it home safely and to have another set of eyes on the road. About 30 minutes into the drive, he fell asleep and I started yawning. I guess I could understand since we’d done a five-mile PT run that morning and then worked all day.
I needed some serious countermeasures to keep me awake. I rolled down the other front window and started freezing the guys in the back so I could hear them complain, whine and babble for my entertainment. Still, I was starting to doze off and realized I’d overestimated my driving abilities. I took a long blink and was startled by the sound of the tires running over rumble strip alongside the road. I woke up and saw we were headed toward the guardrail. As I steered back into my lane, I heard a comment from the rear of the van asking, “Are we there yet?”
Somehow, we made it safely back to Killeen. I struggled to stay awake as I dropped off my friends. Once that was done, I still had a four-minute drive to my house. It felt like the longest four minutes I’d ever spent behind the wheel.
My near-miss that night taught me a valuable lesson. If you’re a designated driver, you have to do more than just stay sober — you also have to stay awake and alert. After all, it won’t matter to the guardrail whether you’re drunk or asleep. Either way, it can put your lights out — forever.
FYI
According to the National Sleep Foundation, there are several warning signs you are driving drowsy, including:
- Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids
- Difficulty keeping reveries or daydreams at bay
- Trouble keeping your head up
- Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips
- Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
- Missing exits or traffic signs
- Yawning repeatedly
- Feeling restless, irritable or aggressive.
The NSF recommends the following tips to help prevent a drowsy-driving accident:
- Get a good night’s sleep before you hit the road. You’ll want to be alert for the drive, so be sure to get adequate sleep (seven to nine hours) the night before you go.
- Don’t be too rushed to arrive at your destination. Many drivers try to maximize the holiday weekend by driving at night or without stopping for breaks. It’s better to allow the time to drive alert and arrive alive.
- Use the buddy system. Just as you should not swim alone, avoid driving alone for long distances. A buddy who remains awake for the journey can take a turn behind the wheel and help identify the warning signs of fatigue.
- Take a break every 100 miles or two hours. Do something to refresh yourself like getting a snack, switching drivers or going for a run.
- Find a safe place to take a 15- to 20-minute nap, if you think you might fall asleep. Be cautious about excessive drowsiness after waking up.
- Avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness as a side effect.
- Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
- Consume caffeine. The equivalent of two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.
Source: www.drowsydriving.org