According to 2021 UK government statistics, 1 in 50 crashes had fatigue as a factor. Plus, where a driver falls asleep at the wheel, the resulting crash tends to be more catastrophic, as the driver doesn’t react to the danger and doesn’t take any evasive action to reduce the impact of the crash. Scarily, these figures may be even higher in reality, as there is no current test for someone falling asleep at the wheel or driving tired – unlike tests for drink or drug affected driving.
It is so important to understand the possible consequences of driving tired and consider the best options if you do feel tired or sleepy at the wheel.
In this post, Dr Lindsay Browning explores the research and also shares advice on avoiding accidents or driving tired.
Falling asleep at the wheel
According to the road safety charity Brake, 1 in 8 drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel.
People are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel when driving at times when their body (their circadian rhythm) thinks they should be asleep – especially in the early hours of the morning (2-6am) or just after lunch (2-4pm), when we tend to have a second dip in alertness.
The best way to avoid falling asleep at the wheel is to avoid driving at times when we are likely to be sleepy – such as avoiding driving in the early hours of the morning or just after lunch, or any time when we know we have not had enough sleep. Where possible, it’s best to use public transport at these times or not make the journey at all, if an alternative to driving isn’t feasible.
Knowing ‘tiredness’ signs
Do be aware that it may not be possible to accurately tell if you are feeling tired when driving. However, signs such as heavy eyelids, yawning, finding your car driving over the hard shoulder road marker, or feeling like your concentration is drifting are all signs that you are sleepy.
If you find that your head “nods”, it is likely you are experiencing microsleeps and is a sign that you did actually fall asleep at the wheel!
Long, monotonous driving (such as on a motorway) is more likely to lead to sleepy driving compared to driving through towns and twisting roads.
What to do if you feel tired when driving
As mentioned, if you know you are suffering from a lack of sleep or are likely to feel tired during your journey then do consider the use of public transport or a car-share.
If this is not possible, or you feel unexpectedly tired, then there are a few things to consider doing to remain safe:
1 – Pull over and park in a safe space, such as a service station
Firstly, if you feel tired pull over as soon as possible, somewhere you feel safe, such as a service station.
Wherever you decide to stop to rest, you need to make sure that you are parked legally and in a safe place.
Never stop for a break on the hard shoulder of a motorway, these are for emergencies only, such as an accident or breakdown. You should steer clear of parking on double yellow lines to avoid any potential issues.
If you find yourself getting tired on the motorway, the nearest service station is a good place to stop.
2 – Buy a large coffee or other caffeinated drink
If you have stopped at a service station or supermarket, for example, purchase and drink a coffee (or other caffeinated drink).
3 – Take a short nap
After finishing your drink, return to your car, recline the seat and allow yourself to close your eyes and take a nap. A 15-20 minute nap will allow you to feel more refreshed and reduce your sleepiness, plus after that time the caffeine will have hit your system allowing you to feel more alert too.
Do set an alarm on your phone so that you limit the nap to 15-20 minutes. Longer than this (and shorter than 1.5 hours) can actually leave you feeling more groggy and less alert.
Additionally, it goes without saying that you should always make sure your car doors are locked and make sure your engine is switched off before taking a rest. You may also want to open a window slightly so you get some fresh air.
Don’t drive tired
Whilst I offer these tips and recommendation for recognising the signs of fatigue when driving, the best advice is always to not drive tired. You should always feel alert and competent before getting behind the wheel.
If you are struggling with the quality of your sleep and how long you are sleeping each week, and this is starting to affect your ability to drive, especially for necessary journeys, such as for work, do take a read of my book, Navigating Sleeplessness.
There are proven strategies you can use to improve to sleep both better and for longer.