Stay awake, stay alert, stay alive Published May 28, 2013 By 2d Lt. Rachelle Smith 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. -- All of a sudden, your eyelids are burning and the road ahead is blurring. The steering wheel feels a little lighter and the gas pedal feels a little more resistant. You feel your concentration fading and have difficulty keeping your eyes open. You can't remember the last few miles. You take another deep breath, then yawn again. You think to yourself, "It's just a few more miles, I can make it." The onset of longer summer days brings long road trips and late nights to mind. Drowsy drivers are more likely to make poor decisions, such as speeding. Getting behind the wheel after a long day of activities can contribute to a deadly crash. Drowsiness reduces response time and the ability to react. It also causes decreased situational awareness and other problems such as tunnel vision, wandering thoughts and failing attention span. "Driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated," said Staff Sgt. Vikas Kumar, non-commissioned officer in charge of Aerospace and Operational Physiology. "Like alcohol, sleepiness causes slowed reaction times, decreases awareness and impairs judgment." Some of the signs of drowsiness include: -Inability to stop yawning -Eyelids drooping or blinking frequently -Trouble focusing, especially at stoplights -Trouble remembering the last few miles -Hitting grooves or rumble strips "If you are doing any of those things even once, it's one time too many," Kumar said. "Getting good sleep is the only preventable measure against drowsy driving." Knowing the signs is just the first step. Responding to the signs by pulling over, taking a nap or having another person drive is the next responsible choice. Stay awake, stay alert and stay alive.