Drowsy Driving: How to Stay Alert
When you’re tired, your mind and body both slow down. Your physical coordination is lessened and reflexes are slowed, while your mind has trouble maintaining focus and reacting to complex situations. Driving during this time can be dangerous and can be very much like driving drunk.
Most people believe they’ll know when they’ve become too tired to continue driving safely. But fatigue can creep up on you. Watch out for these nine warning signs that will tell you it is time to pull over to rest.
- Being unable to remember how far you’ve traveled or what you’ve recently passed.
- Bumping the rumble strips on the side of the road or in the lane dividers.
- Daydreaming or having wandering thoughts.
- Drifting out of your lane or off the road.
- Feeling irritable and restless.
- Having trouble keeping your eyes open or your head up.
- Missing signs or driving past your intended exit.
- Tailgating without realizing it.
- Yawning or blinking frequently.
One of the best ways to keep yourself safe on the road is to get plenty of sleep before getting behind the wheel. The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night. A growing teenager needs eight or more. Read More
