Let’s talk turkey.
Nearly 49 million motorists are expected to hit America’s highways for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, an increase of one million from last year. Does that mean more drivers will be reeling from the effects of tryptophan, the sleep-inducing agent found in turkey?
Perhaps. But some researchers suggest turkey may not be the only, or even the prime trigger, of post-feast drowsiness.
The cumulative effect of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and more pumpkin pie may have the same impact as any heavy meal. So here are some common-sense Thanksgiving tips on dining and driving:
- Abstain from alcohol consumption
- Don’t drive at times when you would otherwise be sleeping
- At the first sign of drowsiness, find a safe place to get off the road and take a nap
Certain vehicle-safety features may help alert drivers to signs of drowsiness. LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus is among them.
Available on vehicles such as the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan, the feature uses camera technology to detect unintended lane incursion – often a symptom of drowsiness. When activated, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus alerts the driver and delivers subtle steering-wheel input to assist with course correction.
