Drowsy drivers die

Trip Start Dec 18, 2006

Trip End May 04, 2007

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Flag of Australia Lakes Entrance, Australia
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

The drive to Lakes Entrance was uneventful save for two things - the further south we drove, the sunnier it got and "street signs". Along the state highway in short intervals, you are "bombarded" with messages urging you to "powernap". Messages include:
     - Feeling tired? - Powernap now (unfortunately no resting area in sight)
     - Weary? - See above
     - Trouble concentrating?
     - Feeling drowsy?
     - Sore eyes?
     - Droopy eyes? (My favorite!)
     - Open your eyes - Fatigue kills (well, how could I read this sign with my eyes in the first
        place)

As you continue to drive and be bombared with these messages, you do tend to get tired until they culminate in such drastic messages that you are instantly awake again:
     - A micro-sleep can kill in seconds
     - Drowsy drivers die

Don't get me wrong - in a place as vast as Australia where people tend to drive long distances, such reminders may help save lifes. For a tourist like me driving a leisurely couple of hundred miles at most, the signs had the complete opposite effect (rather like self-fulfilling prophecies ... ;) ...).

Because (or despite) of the signs, we made it to Lakes Entrance safely. We got ourselves a campsite, a grilled chicken and a couple of beers to celebrate such a grand day! After a nice walk to the beach, we sat down and made plans for the remaining three days on the road ... that's when it hit you big time that 4 1/2 months are almost over!!!

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