What is the best thing to do when you feel you're about to fall asleep at the wheel?

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Feeling sleepy while driving seriously slows your reaction time and impairs judgment, making it easy to miss hazards or drift out of your lane. When that drowsy feeling hits, the safest move is to pull over at a safe, well-lit spot and rest. A short nap can restore alertness and reduce the risk of a crash much more effectively than trying to push through. If possible, use a designated rest area or parking lot, take a quick walk or stretch, and give yourself time to wake up before continuing. Caffeine might help temporarily, but it’s not a substitute for sleep and won’t fully overcome drowsiness. Turning up the radio or driving slowly does not address the underlying fatigue and still puts you and others at risk.