Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of death on our roads. Don't let it take you to your final resting place. Pull over to a safe area as soon as you feel the first signs of fatigue.
Fatigue at the wheel: drivers most at risk
Drivers under age 30, especially men
Professional drivers
Workers with irregular schedules, long work days or who work night shifts
Individuals who suffer from an undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorder
Individuals whose lifestyle affects the amount and quality of sleep they get
Recognizing the signs of fatigue
You yawn often
Your eyes are burning
You have trouble keeping your eyes open
You have trouble:
finding a comfortable position, e.g. shifting around in your seat
concentrating and staying attentive, e.g. missing an exit
maintaining a steady speed and keeping the vehicle on a straight course
Your reactions are slower
You have memory lapses, e.g. you can’t remember the last few kilometres driven
You are seeing things that are not there, particularly when there is fog or on monotonous stretches of highway, e.g. you think you see an animal on the road
You stop looking in your rearview mirrors
Driving while tired is driving with an “impaired brain”. The consequences?
Reduced reflexes and alertness
Increased reaction time and risk of drowsiness
Altered memory
Reduced visual field
Don't believe in magic solutions!
You can't just decide to be less tired. Will power and driving experience won't make any difference.
Drinking coffee or an energy drink, rolling down the window or turning up the radio have no effect on fatigue and are really just myths and false beliefs.
The only way to win the battle against fatigue is to stop driving as soon as you feel the first signs.
Our advice
If you are taking a long trip, make sure you are well-rested before you leave and plan for breaks every 2 hours.
If you feel tired, pull over to a safe place to stretch your legs or take a nap. Fifteen to thirty minutes are usually enough.
Hand the wheel over to another driver.
Whenever possible, avoid driving at night or at times you would normally sleep.
Plan trips by taking into consideration the times when fatigue is most often felt. There is a greater risk of drowsiness in the early and mid-afternoon.
Avoid monotonous and poorly lit roads at night.
Slow down. Driving at higher speeds forces you to process a larger amount of information quickly, which brings on fatigue.
Avoid visual fatigue, e.g. by dimming the dashboard lighting.
Eat light meals and stay hydrated.
Avoid alcohol.
Taking a break
A break will restore your alertness for a short time, whereas a nap will help you recuperate if you are tired, and you will feel rested longer.
Taking a nap
A nap can never replace a good night's sleep, but in case of serious fatigue, it can help you safely continue your trip for some time.