Sitting behind the wheel when tired can be just as dangerous as driving without giving the road your full attention. Driving tired is also known as drowsy driving affects a driver’s concentration, slows reaction time and makes it harder to respond to unexpected situations. Whether travelling a short distance or taking a long journey, fatigue can put both drivers and other road users at risk. Recognising the signs of tiredness and knowing when to take a break are important steps towards making every journey safer.
Operating a motor vehicle when sleepy is known as drowsy driving, and it can affect anyone who gets behind the wheel. Drowsy driving significantly increases the risk of accidents, leading to a troubling number of injuries and deaths every year.
Why Is Drowsy Driving Dangerous?
Drowsy driving significantly increases the risk of car accidents. Microsleeps are when a person dozes off for just a few seconds and when they occur while driving, it’s easy for the car to run off the road or collide with another vehicle. The damage from these crashes increases when they occur at high speeds.
Drowsy driving is dangerous even if a person doesn’t actually fall asleep. Research shows that sleep deprivation leads to mental impairment that is similar to drunkenness with 24 hours of sleep deprivation roughly equating to a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10%.
This impairment makes a person less attentive to their surroundings and more easily distracted. It slows their reaction time, making it harder to avoid dangers in the roadway. Insufficient sleep is also tied to worsened decision-making, which can lead to risk-taking behind the wheel.
What Are Signs That You Should Stop Driving to Rest?
If you notice any of the following signs of drowsy driving, you should look for the next available opportunity to stop and rest:
-Frequent yawning
-Feelings of dozing off
-Tired eyes, droopy eyes, or an increase in blinking
-Drifting into other lanes or hitting “rumble strips” on the road
-Inability to remember the last few miles
-Missing a road sign or exit
-Following other cars too closely
-Difficulty maintaining proper speed
-Take these signs seriously; they are a warning that you are drowsy and at risk if you continue driving. Exit or pull off the road and rest until you are not feeling sleepy.
Road safety begins with responsible driving. Getting enough rest, recognising signs of fatigue and taking breaks when needed can help prevent accidents.
Remember, it is always better to arrive late than to risk your life by driving while tired.
