Stay Safe and Don't Sleep While Driving on the Road

sleep

You know the drill: you've been driving for a long time, and you find yourself beginning to drift off while you're behind the wheel.  Often caused by tiredness or lack of sleep, driver's exhaustion is dangerous for drivers, since it can easily result in an accident without you even becoming aware of it.

According to the United States' National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 83,000 drowsy-driving related crashes happened between 2005 to 2009. The most likely age group to fall asleep behind the wheel are within the 18-29 bracket. Those that work during night shift or those who take care of small children at home are also in danger of falling asleep while driving.

Warning Signs of Driver's Fatigue

The danger with driving exhausted is that oftentimes, the driver isn't even aware that they're dosing off and in danger of crashing their vehicle. According to Center for Disease Control (CDC), here are common signs that indicate you're in danger of driver's fatigue:

  • Yawning a number of times
  • Blinking multiple times
  • Lane-changing (without you even knowing it)
  • Forgetting where you're headed (or the details to where you're headed)
  • Overlooking the exit sign
  • Suddenly dosing off and then waking up again

Once you feel the symptoms, make sure to stop at a nearby gas station and take a rest. Just make sure that you're in a safe place, and don't do it in remote, dark-lit places.

How to Avoid Driver's Fatigue

Driver's fatigue isn't an accidental condition. And it happens even before you get in your car. Here are a couple of things you can do to avoid this from happening to you:

  • This is obvious: Get a good night's sleep
  • Don't drive when you've been sleepless for a couple of days
  • Don't take any medicine that can cause drowsiness
  • Avoid driving for long periods of time
  • Stop your vehicle from time to time and stretch

The best way to combat driver's fatigue is to make sure that you're well-rested as much as possible. It's simple to do, but often easy neglected--especially if you're the busy, Type-A personality that likes to burn both ends of the candle. Remember: it's your life, and other people's lives at stake here, so take responsibility for yourself so you always remain safe on the road.

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Nissan PH keeps Navara pricing for Jul. amid CMEPA implementation
    Nissan PH keeps Navara pricing for Jul. amid CMEPA implementation
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • First-ever ‘BYD Grab Day Caravan’ puts spotlight on Seal 5 DM-i
    First-ever ‘BYD Grab Day Caravan’ puts spotlight on Seal 5 DM-i
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 11, 2025
  • Inchcape PH releases Mercedes-Benz V-Class Elegance
    Inchcape PH releases Mercedes-Benz V-Class Elegance
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 11, 2025
  • Latest ‘Kia Movement’ leg set this weekend
    Latest ‘Kia Movement’ leg set this weekend
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 10, 2025
  • Bentley unveils all-electric EXP 15 concept car
    Bentley unveils all-electric EXP 15 concept car
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 10, 2025
  • Nissan Livina vs. the competition
    Nissan Livina vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 11, 2025
  • Exploring the Jetour T2’s interior
    Exploring the Jetour T2’s interior
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 10, 2025
  • Suzuki XL7 Hybrid vs Toyota RAV4 vs BYD Tang: tough-looking NEV options
    Suzuki XL7 Hybrid vs Toyota RAV4 vs BYD Tang: tough-looking NEV options
    Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025
  • Explaining the different types of hybrid powertrains
    Explaining the different types of hybrid powertrains
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 07, 2025
  • Check out these basic overlanding items for when you want to enjoy the outdoors
    Check out these basic overlanding items for when you want to enjoy the outdoors
    Paulo Papa . Jul 04, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025
  • Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Paulo Papa . Jul 07, 2025
  • First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 30, 2025
  • BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    Paulo Papa . Jun 18, 2025
  • Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Paulo Papa . Jun 05, 2025