Get Rid of Highway Hypnosis

The northern Midwest is famous for long country roads. Whether they’re surrounded on both sides by corn fields, open pastures, or undeveloped land, the roads are largely unpopulated and monotonous. This is bad news for drivers who spend hours on the unchanging roads because it makes them susceptible to highway hypnosis. Here are some ways to beat it and keep driving safely.

How can you and your drivers defeat highway hypnosis?

This state of mind is caused by unchanging driving conditions. Without medium-level tasks to occupy our minds, we lose focus on what we’re doing. While the vehicle can stay in its lane, the drivers respond more slowly to stimulus or sudden problems. It’s also easy to drift. This can happen to any driver in the middle of hours of driving. Make sure you stay focused by:

Change up your playlist.

Music and background noises are great ways to stay focused. The sounds and lyrics occupy a small sliver of drivers’ attention and help mark the passage of time. A faster tempo can even help keep your heart rate up and make you more alert.

But don’t just fill your playlist with hard rock or same-speed pop music. Choosing a random assortment of songs with different tempos and tones is just enough of a change to make you pay more attention. It also stops the songs from blurring together.

Roll your window down a bit.

Some drivers have a harder time focusing in the heat. Others are more likely to become drowsy in the cold. No matter which extreme you fall under, keeping the air stuffy is bad for your focus. Change your car’s air to counteract the temperature outside and then crack open your window. The breeze will keep you awake without being too chilly. The rush of noise also helps you additional notice about vehicles approaching you from behind or ahead of you.

Highway hypnosis isn’t just a problem in Iowa and other Midwest states. Make sure you and your drivers stay safe across the country by going to J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC. for insurance and safety tips. We provide commercial truck insurance in the states of Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa & Nebraska.

David Ott

David Ott