Fighting Driver Fatigue

Key Practices

• Get enough sleep. It goes without saying that getting a good night of sleep is critical, especially before long trips. See your doctor if you are experiencing extended sleep issues.

• Allow time to drive safely, including extra time if you think that you will need more frequent breaks.

• Don’t forget breakfast. Give yourself time for breakfast for better energy levels.

• Avoid medications or substances that can cause drowsiness.

• Reduce cabin temperatures or turn the radio up, until you can stop for a rest break.

• Reschedule if necessary. Cancel trips if illness impairs driving or requires medication that can cause drowsiness.

• Take breaks if needed. If possible, pull over for a 10-minute break every two hours. It’s important to stretch legs, move about, and get reinvigorated before getting back behind the wheel.

• Stop driving if you note key signs of fatigue. Pull off the road into a safe parking lot or rest area to rest or get out of the car. There is never any time lost by arriving home safely.

Key Practices

• The National Highway Safety Administration estimates that driver fatigue is a factor in over 100,000 reported crashes a year.

• Fatigue reduces decision making and reaction time, which impacts every phase of driving.

• Don’t ignore key signs of fatigue, which can include:
  
  • Not sleeping well at night
  • Frequent yawning or difficulty focusing
  • Drifting in your lane
  • Missing exits or signs
  • Can’t remember the last miles driven
  • Difficulty focusing on simple tasks

• Fatigue may also be connected to other personal factors that are causing sleep loss, which could also lead to distracted driving.

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