Signs and Symptoms of Drowsy Driving
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Being a diligent driver starts with being aware – drowsy driving is preventable.
Sleepiness can slow down your reaction time, decrease awareness, impair judgment, and increase your risk of crashing. Whenever you are getting ready to drive, ask yourself, “Am I alert enough to operate a 3,000-pound fast-moving machine on public roads?”
Before getting into the car with someone or driving yourself, ask the following:
- Are you sleep-deprived or fatigued? Are you suffering regularly from sleep problems? Less than 6 hours of sleep triples your risk of falling asleep while driving!
- Are you planning to drive long distances without proper rest breaks?
- Will you be driving through the night, mid-afternoon, or when you would normally be asleep?
- Are you taking medications that can make you sleepy such as antidepressants, cold tablets, or antihistamines?
- Have you been working for more than 60 hours a week? A tightly packed work schedule increases your risk of drowsy driving by 40%.
- Have you been working more than one job and your main job involves shift work?
- Did you drink alcohol? Even a small amount of alcohol can have an impact on your body.
Be proactive. Plan every short and long trip ahead of time. Ask a friend to join you on long-distance drives, so that your companion can help look for early warning signs of driver fatigue and switch drivers when needed.
8 Drowsy Driving Warning Signs to Watch for:
- Finding it hard to focus on the road, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids
- Starting to daydream, wandering eyes, and have disconnected thoughts
- Having trouble remembering the last few miles driven
- Missing an exit or ignoring traffic signs
- Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes
- Finding it hard to keep your head up or nodding off
- Drifting from your lane, tailgating, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
- Feeling restless and irritable, or becoming aggravated with common annoyances such as sitting in traffic.
If you notice any of these drowsy driving warning signs, pull over to a safe place and get some rest, stretch, or drink a caffeinated beverage. Continue driving when you feel alert and refreshed.
For more information about drowsy driving, visit the Drowsy Driving Prevention Week page to learn more.