- Fatigue seriously slows reaction times and impairs driving, increasing crash risk; pull over to rest
- Night hours, monotony, large meals, certain meds, stress, and heavy exercise raise fatigue risk
- Common fatigue signs: yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting lanes, slow reactions, poor concentration
- Some cars use eye-tracking and AI alerts to prompt breaks
Everyone knows how dangerous it can be to fall asleep at the wheel. Yet even the simple sensation of fatigue or sleepiness while driving can be risky for you, your passengers, and other road users. Ideally, you should avoid getting behind the wheel when you’re tired or pull over to rest, but this isn’t always possible.
In fact, sleep can seriously impair your driving abilities, from slowed reaction times to simple mistakes, such as forgetting to check your mirrors when changing lanes. The body responds much more slowly to stimuli when you’re fatigued, putting you at a very high risk.
Factors contributing to fatigue behind the wheel
Some roads can make you feel especially sleepy. For example, driving on a never-ending, featureless highway with few interruptions and little stimuli can certainly increase fatigue, especially if you rely on cruise control. In fact, any repetitive driving that does not require 100% driver attention can lead to sleepiness.
Other factors that can contribute to fatigue behind the wheel include:
- Driving during hours when your body naturally seeks sleep (between midnight and 6 a.m.)
- Eating a heavy meal before driving
- Taking certain medications that have drowsiness as a side effect
- Intense physical exercise before getting behind the wheel
- Stress and emotional tension
Alarming statistics about drowsy driving
alarmingly, one in eight (13%) drivers in the United Kingdom admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, according to a 2018 survey conducted for the AA Charitable Trust. Nearly two-fifths (37%) of drivers say they have experienced being so fatigued that they feared they might fall asleep while driving. Surely each of us has, at least once, unfortunately, been through such a situation.
The effects of drowsy driving can be devastating. A study found that one in six crashes resulting in deaths or injuries on major roads is linked to fatigue. Therefore, there are certain signs to watch for and act on immediately when they appear.
Recognizing your own fatigue
Fatigue is hard to identify. Unlike alcohol or drugs, there is no test to measure a driver’s fatigue. And sometimes drivers are simply not aware of how tired they are. The National Sleep Foundation in America offers a reminder of signs indicating you are sleepy, including:
Physical signs:
- Repeated yawning, heavy eyelids, and rubbing eyes
- Difficulty keeping your head up
- Restlessness and irritability
Cognitive and behavioral signs:
- Difficulty concentrating, as well as daydreaming with eyes open or wandering thoughts
- Difficulty remembering the last miles driven, or missing exits or road signs
- Leaving your lane or drifting across lanes
- Slower reactions to signals from other vehicles
- Uncontrolled variations in speed
Modern fatigue-detection technologies
Some new cars are now equipped with eye-tracking technology that can detect when drivers are starting to become sleepy and prompt them to take a break. Others have an artificial intelligence system that monitors how the driver operates the vehicle and warns them when fatigue sets in.
These systems analyze:
- Eye movements and blink frequency
- Head movements
- Driving patterns and small steering inputs
- Reaction time to stimuli
However, technology cannot replace personal responsibility and awareness of one’s limits.
What you can do to drive safely
If your car does not have such technology, you can at least take a few practical steps to avoid dozing off behind the wheel:
Trip planning
Avoid driving if you are tired, especially for long trips.
Plan the route in advance and sleep 7-8 hours before setting off. Alternatively, if that isn’t possible, take a short nap before you start.
Immediate measures while driving
At the first sign of fatigue while driving, pull over in a safe place and take a 20-minute nap. Allow time for that awful sensation of dizziness to pass after waking.
Take another driver with you on long trips. You can swap driving every two hours and share the journey.
Diet and substances
Do not drink alcohol. Caffeine, on the other hand, can help improve vigilance. But don’t expect it to act immediately, and remember that a dose of caffeine won’t last very long.
Avoid a heavy meal before driving, as this can also make you feel sleepier. Medications can also cause drowsiness, so always read the instructions on any medication you take before driving.
Driving schedule
If possible, avoid driving when you would normally fall asleep quickly. Between midnight and 6 a.m., your body’s clock will likely tell you it needs sleep.
Do not drive more than eight hours per day
Try to stop every two hours or so, especially if you are not used to long-distance driving. The Brake Foundation for road safety cites research showing that after two hours of continuous driving, your ability to concentrate and react to hazards declines.
Recommended break activities:
- Short walks to reactivate circulation
- Light stretching exercises
- Deep breathing of fresh air
- Drinking a caffeinated beverage (in moderation)
- Splashing cold water on your face
Intense physical exercise before driving can also cause sleepiness, so it is better to avoid.
When to seek medical help
If you notice you frequently feel sleepy behind the wheel, consider identifying the underlying cause and addressing fatigue more broadly. Chronic sleepiness can indicate more serious health problems, such as:
- Sleep apnea
- Narcolepsy
- Restless legs syndrome
- Depression or anxiety
- Thyroid problems
In these cases, consulting a medical specialist can be essential not only for your safety behind the wheel but also for your overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Driving while fatigued is a real and serious risk that can have devastating consequences. Recognizing early signs, planning trips carefully, and adopting preventive measures can make the difference between a safe journey and a tragic accident. Remember that no destination is so urgent that it’s worth risking your life or the lives of others.
