[Alois Wolf]

At my job where I work midnights, I often drive back and forth between different hospitals in NJ (Souther Ocean County, Kennedy, Virtua ect. and sometimes Cooper and even in Philly like Jefferson and Uni. Penn) and I can attest to this article. It is the scariets feeling in the world. No matter what you do, even if you try to dance in your seat you can still feel like your nodding off. It has happened to me so many times that I'd would ever want to count. The only thing that ever works for me is if I can my office and tell them that I have to take a 15 and pull off somewhere for a little power nap. I drive a 12 passenger van and that DEFINATELY not something you want to mess around with when your tired and especially when roads are the way the are during the winter months. If anyone has ever driven in Philly you will understand why this is even more so for an over-sized vehicle.

[Jokerhill]

I always eat an apple on the way home, I don't know why but it helps keep me awake and stimulated. But I know at a few long red lights I have closed my eyes and gotten scared I was falling asleep. I will shift my truck into park on long red lights now. Jeff

[Quickbeam]

I worked nights for over a decade and never had a problem. I think the reason was 8 hour night shifts. I was always able to get a full 8 hours of sleep in and still have a life.

I work in highway safety now and the drowsy driving issue is huge. People from every walk of life are short on sleep and it is showing in the fatal #s.

[S.T.A.C.E.Y]

I never thought I would have this problem as I'm used to LONG solo driving trips across the country, and from school to home, but this topic now has a little more significance to me.

I actually did fall asleep while driving home from work. I woke up at the last stop light before my house, with a strange (very concerned) man leaning in my passenger window to make sure I was ok. I was stopped in the lane waiting to make a left, and fell asleep. I guess he tried to go around me, then saw I was passed out in the drivers seat. I was so scared and terrified that it had actually happened, that I could sleep for hours when I got home.

So yes, it actually can happen.

[sayitgirl]

I have insomina now, so I work nights it works for me. But I remember trying to work after a 16 hour shift, it was difficult, almost fell asleep at the wheel. After that I never worked more than eight hour shifts. It is not worth your life or health. I take care of many patients that have fallen asleep behind the wheel....