Drowsy Driving: Causes and How to Avoid it.
Driver fatigue or drowsy driving is when a person behind the wheel feels sleepy, tired and exhausted whilst driving. This is extremely dangerous and could be the cause of major accidents. Drowsy driving could affect anyone no matter the driving experience. However, some people are able to avoid fatigue by knowing when to rest.
Fatigue can slow your reactions and reflexes and affect your attention span and judgment. These are key things you need when on the road.
The Dangers Of Drowsy Driving
Drowsiness can cause microsleep. Microsleep is when you lose consciousness for a short period of time. Actions that involve microsleep could include head snapping, nodding and closing of the eyes. At 60 mph, in 1 second, your car travels 88 feet without the driver having any control.
Every year in the United States, around 100,000 accidents are caused by drivers falling asleep behind the wheel. Half of these accidents are 15-24 years old. The only way to end your fatigue on the road is to GET ENOUGH SLEEP!
Early Signs of Drowsy Driving
These are some of the most common signs of drowsy driving. If you notice any of these signs, pull over the road and get some rest before continuing.
- Missing road signs
- Slow reactions
- Sore, tired and/or heavy eyes
- Daydreaming
- Struggling to stay in the lane
- Troubles changing gear
- Yawning
- Poor concentration
- Drowsiness
- Poor vision
- Dim/ fuzzy vision
Not sleeping for 17 hours has the same effect on driving as your Blood and Alcohol Content (BAC) being .005. Not sleeping for 24 hours has the same effect as your BAC being 0.10.
When Does Driver Fatigue Normally Happen?
- Driving soon after waking up: You have a high risk of feeling fatigue the first 30 minutes after waking up.
- Driving during the time you should normally be sleeping: Your blood pressure and temperature fall during the times you normally go to sleep. This causes your body to react as if you were going to bed. Making yourself be impaired to some certain tasks.
- Being awake for longer than usual: The risk increases after being awake for 17 hours.
- Driving non-stop for long periods of time.
How to Avoid Drowsy Driving
- Don’t drive when you’re feeling tired!
- Drive with a companion. Bringing someone along, you can switch drivers when the driver is feeling tired.
- Schedule stops (Recommended: 15 minutes every 2 hours)
- Avoid driving right after waking up. You wouldn’t have been fully awake yet.
- Don’t take alcohol or medications before driving!