What is one effective way to reduce the risk of highway hypnosis?

To reduce the risk of highway hypnosis, driving with a passenger is an effective strategy. When you have another person in the vehicle, you can engage in conversation, which helps maintain your alertness and focus on the road. This interaction stimulates your mind and can prevent the monotony that often leads to highway hypnosis, a state of drowsiness or diminished awareness that can occur during long, monotonous drives.

Engaging with a passenger keeps your cognitive functions active and helps you stay vigilant about driving conditions. It also allows for shared responsibilities, as a passenger can assist in navigation or provide a break if necessary. This social interaction serves as a counter to the mental fatigue that can occur during extended periods of driving alone.

Although adjusting your environment, like turning on the radio or adjusting the windows, might provide some distraction, they are generally less effective at sustaining alertness over long journeys compared to the engagement that comes from having a passenger.