Signs You’re Too Tired to Drive (2023)

Driving while feeling drowsy or fatigued is not only dangerous but also can be fatal. According to a recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation, around 60% of adult drivers in the United States have driven while feeling sleepy, and about one-third of them admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel.

Driving requires your full attention, and if you’re feeling tired or sleepy, your reaction time, judgment, and ability to concentrate are likely to be impaired. This can increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and even death. So, it’s essential to recognize the signs of tiredness and avoid driving when you’re too tired. In this article, we’ll explore some of the common signs that indicate you’re too tired to drive and what you can do to stay safe on the road.

The Risks of Driving While Tired

Driving while feeling drowsy or fatigued can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When you’re feeling tired, your brain is not functioning at its best, and your reaction time, decision-making ability, and alertness are compromised. This can lead to accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Studies have shown that driving while feeling sleepy or fatigued can impair your driving performance in many ways, such as:

• Slower reaction time
• Poor judgment and decision-making
• Reduced attention and vigilance
• Decreased ability to focus and concentrate
• Impaired vision and perception
• Increased tendency to nod off or fall asleep behind the wheel
• Increased risk of accidents and near-miss incidents

Moreover, tired driving is more common than you might think. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving causes an estimated 100,000 crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities every year in the United States alone.

Signs You’re Too Tired to Drive

It’s essential to recognize the signs of tiredness and fatigue while driving and take appropriate measures to avoid accidents and stay safe. Here are some of the common signs that indicate you’re too tired to drive:

Yawning and Blinking Frequently

If you’re feeling tired, you may start yawning frequently or blinking more than usual. Yawning is a natural response to fatigue and is the body’s way of trying to increase oxygen intake and wake up the brain. However, frequent yawning while driving can be a warning sign that you’re too tired to stay alert and focused on the road.

Difficulty Keeping Your Eyes Open

Another sign that you’re too tired to drive is if you’re having difficulty keeping your eyes open. You may find that your eyelids are drooping, or you’re struggling to keep them open for more than a few seconds at a time. This can be dangerous because if you can’t see the road ahead clearly, you’re at risk of missing traffic signals or signs and may not react quickly enough to avoid accidents.

Nodding Off or Drifting

If you’re feeling extremely tired, you may find yourself nodding off or drifting while driving. Nodding off, even for a few seconds, can be extremely dangerous and can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle. Drifting, on the other hand, can happen when you’re not paying enough attention to the road or your surroundings, and your vehicle starts to veer off course.

Difficulty Focusing and Concentrating

If you’re too tired to drive, you may also find it challenging to focus and concentrate on the road ahead. You may have difficulty maintaining a steady speed or staying in your lane, or you may find yourself distracted by things like roadside billboards or passing scenery. This can increase your risk of accidents and make it harder to react to unexpected situations on the road.

Forgetting the Last Few Miles Driven

If you’re feeling very tired or fatigued, you may find that you’re having trouble remembering the last few miles you’ve driven. This can be a sign that you’re not fully aware of your surroundings and may not be able to react quickly enough to hazards or other drivers.

Trouble Remembering the Last Few Exits or Turns

Similar to forgetting the last few miles driven, if you’re too tired to drive, you may also have trouble remembering the last few exits or turns you’ve taken. This can be a sign that you’re not fully engaged in driving and may not be able to make critical decisions quickly enough.

Feeling Irritable, Restless, or Anxious

Feeling irritable, restless, or anxious while driving can also be a sign that you’re too tired to drive safely. Fatigue can affect your mood and make you more prone to mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. If you’re feeling these symptoms, it may be best to take a break or pull over and rest before continuing your journey.

Slower Reaction Time and Poor Judgment

If you’re too tired to drive, you may also experience slower reaction times and poor judgment. You may not be able to react quickly enough to sudden changes on the road or may make poor decisions that increase your risk of accidents or near-miss incidents.

Difficulty Maintaining Speed and Lane Position

Fatigue can also make it difficult to maintain a steady speed or stay in your lane. You may find yourself drifting between lanes or speeding up and slowing down unintentionally. This can be dangerous, especially if you’re driving on a busy highway or in heavy traffic.

Missing Traffic Signs or Signals

If you’re too tired to drive, you may also miss traffic signs or signals, such as stop signs or traffic lights. This can be dangerous and increase your risk of accidents or collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians.

Daydreaming or Zoning Out

Fatigue can also cause you to daydream or zone out while driving. You may find yourself losing track of time or getting lost in thought, which can be dangerous if you

causes you to lose focus on the road and your surroundings. It’s important to stay alert and focused while driving, especially on long trips or when you’re feeling tired.

Read More: 5 Tips for Avoiding Truck Accidents

Swerving or Drifting Across Lanes

Another sign that you’re too tired to drive is if you’re swerving or drifting across lanes. This can happen if you’re not paying attention to the road or if you’re feeling drowsy and struggling to stay awake. Swerving or drifting across lanes can be extremely dangerous and can lead to accidents or collisions with other vehicles.

Increased Heart Rate or Difficulty Breathing

If you’re feeling very tired or fatigued, you may also experience physical symptoms such as an increased heart rate or difficulty breathing. This can be a sign that your body is struggling to stay alert and awake and may indicate that you need to take a break or rest before continuing your journey.

Read More: 15 Up-and-Coming Car Accident Bloggers

Feeling Sleepy or Drowsy

Feeling sleepy or drowsy while driving is one of the most obvious signs that you’re too tired to drive safely. You may feel like you’re fighting to keep your eyes open, or you may be struggling to stay awake. If you’re feeling this way, it’s important to take a break or pull over and rest before continuing your journey.

Conclusion

Driving while tired can be extremely dangerous and can increase your risk of accidents or collisions. If you’re feeling any of the symptoms listed above, it’s important to take a break or pull over and rest before continuing your journey. Remember, there’s no shame in admitting that you’re too tired to drive. It’s better to arrive at your destination safely and well-rested than to put yourself and others at risk by driving while fatigued.

FAQs

1. How much sleep do I need to avoid driving while tired?

• Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night to avoid fatigue and drowsiness while driving.

2. How often should I take breaks while driving on long trips?

• It’s recommended that you take a break every 2 hours or 100 miles when driving on long trips.

3. Can drinking caffeine help me stay alert while tired to driving?

• Caffeine can help you stay awake and alert while driving, but it’s not a substitute for getting enough sleep.

4. What should I do if I start to feel tired to drive?

• If you start to feel tired while driving, it’s important to take a break or pull over and rest before continuing your journey.

5. Can driving while tired to drive be as dangerous as driving under the influence?

• Yes, driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as it can impair your ability to react quickly and make good decisions on the road.