How to Avoid Driver Fatigue

Member

By Kallicat
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (7 Ratings)

Sleepy

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calculates that drowsy or fatigued driving causes at least approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes and kills more than 1,550 Americans each year. Sleepiness slows the driver’s reaction time and decreases awareness. Drowsiness can also impair the driver’s judgment and increases the risks of crashing.

Since you do not want to be one of those statistics, here are some tips to help you avoid driver fatigue.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

First and most importantly, get plenty of rest before you need to drive anywhere. Sleep deprivation can creep up on a person, so know that you have been getting proper sleep that is neither uninterrupted nor fragmented.
Step 2

Recognize the signs of driver fatigue: drowsiness, difficulty focusing, blinking more than normal, yawning, heavy eyelids, your head will nod, and rubbing your eyes. If you have any of these symptoms or signs, don’t continue driving. Either avoid driving altogether, or have someone else take over the wheel.
Step 3

If you must continue driving, stop for frequent breaks. Get out of the vehicle and move around; getting the blood pumping through your body. Every two hours or 100 miles is a good time frame to shoot for when taking breaks.
Step 4

Schedule a travel buddy. This is someone who could take your place driving if you get too tired. This is especially important for very long road trips.
Step 5

Some other techniques that work for some people are to open the windows to have the cold air wake them, turn up the radio and sing along, and consuming caffeine.

Comments

fatiguefighter said

Flag This Comment

on 9/23/2009 We recently tested a device (now commercially available) that prevents microsleep/falling asleep and makes drivers 25% to 40% more alert. (Tests results printed in the National Defense Industry Association GVSETS 2009 Symposium.) Drowsy drivers can't fall asleep when using this device. Website is:
www.colddiffusionfatiguefighter.com

hradcliffe said

on 9/18/2009 Liked the article 5*. I think step 2 recognizing fatigue is so important.

mommyhen42 said

on 9/9/2009 Great article! I often pull over for a quick nap when I begin to feel the effects of driver fatigue and fully believe that more people need to be aware of this deadly problem! Thanks for writing this!

Coach4U said

on 8/6/2009 Thank you for the great tips about how to avoid driver fatigue. When you're the only driver; its so important to stop and get out of the car and stretch and relax every 100 miles (or two hours). (5)