Drowsy Driving and the Risk of Accidents: What to Do When You're Too Tired to Drive
How to cope when drowsy while driving? - When you feel drowsy while driving:
Heading out on a long journey, but feeling draggy? That's a dangerous combination. If you've been behind the wheel for some time, it can lead to catastrophe. Drowsiness and accidents - sometimes fatal - are just around the corner.
Two weeks ago, a minibus carrying nine passengers swerved off the A48 near Koblenz. The result was three deaths and six injuries. The Koblenz public prosecutor's office suspects the driver may have dozed off as the possible cause of the crash.
But how can you tell when it's time to pull over? And what should you do when you're too worn out to drive any longer? Here are some tips, with an eye towards holiday travel too.
Warning signs while driving
There are clear signs when a driver needs a break. These include frequent yawning or blinking. You can no longer focus and have trouble staying in your lane. If you can't recall the last few kilometers, or suddenly drive slower or faster without meaning to, these are also clear signs of exhaustion, according to the ADAC.
Rest, rest, rest
Traffic experts recommend taking a break every two hours. Movement is crucial: A short walk, stretching, or a breath of fresh air can boost blood circulation and wake you up again. A 15-to-20-minute nap on the parking lot can work wonders too. But energy drinks or coffee can only offer short-term help. Loud music and open windows aren't substitutes for a power nap, says a sleep researcher at the ADAC.
Drowsy driving equals high accident risk
Accidents with injuries or fatalities happen regularly due to drowsy drivers. Because someone who nods off for five seconds can cover nearly 140 meters at 100 km/h without even seeing, states the ADAC.
Modern cars come with numerous assistance systems that can help detect drowsiness and prevent accidents. For example, drowsiness warning systems: Sensors monitor driving behavior and detect irregular steering or lane deviations. If the set values deviate too much, the driver receives a warning.
Accidents due to micro-sleep can also be reduced by emergency braking and lane-keeping assistants. These can potentially prevent driving into traffic or veering off the road due to inattention, or at least lessen the severity of the crash.
- Drowsy driving
- Accident risk
- Koblenz
- ADAC
- Accident
- Mainz
- Public Prosecutor's Office
Insights:
- Driving fatigue, caused by lack of sleep, long driving hours, or physical discomfort, significantly contributes to road accidents.
- Strategies to manage driving fatigue include regular breaks, maintaining comfort, staying hydrated and energized, avoiding driving during peak fatigue hours, using technology, and sharing driving duties.
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can help monitor driver fatigue and prevent accidents.
- Organizations like ADAC likely provide guidance on safe driving practices, vehicle checks, and the use of technology to enhance road safety.
[1] National Sleep Foundation, "How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?", www.sleepfoundation.org
- The Koblenz public prosecutor's office suspects drowsiness as a possible cause of a recent minibus crash in which three people died and six were injured, highlighting the connection between drowsy driving and accidents.
- The ADAC recommends taking a break every two hours during long journeys, suggesting that a short walk, stretching, or a brief nap can help combat drowsiness and prevent accidents.
- The ADAC also emphasizes the importance of prioritizing rest and avoiding relying on energy drinks or loud music as temporary solutions, as these do not offer long-term help in combating drowsiness.
- Modern cars come equipped with drowsiness warning systems that use sensors to monitor driving behaviors, detect irregular steering or lane deviations, and alert drivers when they are at risk of fatigue-related accidents. Such systems, along with emergency braking and lane-keeping assistants, are designed to reduce the risk of accidents caused by micro-sleep or inattention.
