We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Safety

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Driver Fatigue?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 23,613
Share

When people drive while they are tired, drowsy, or sleepy, this is referred to as “driver fatigue.” Driver fatigue is a major cause of car accidents, since sleepy drivers are unable to make rapid decisions, and they may have slower reaction times. As a result, many governments have education programs to alert people to the dangers of driving while tired, and drivers are encouraged to avoid conditions which may lead to driver fatigue.

Tired drivers often have a difficult time processing and using information; for example, a driver may not recognize that he or she has drifted into the wrong lane until it is too late. Driving fatigue can also lead to reduced vigilance and slower reaction times. In extreme cases, a driver may actually fall into a microsleep, briefly losing consciousness on the road, and this can be extremely dangerous. The risks of driver fatigue go up dramatically between 10:00 PM and dawn, especially for people who work unusual hours or who may have sleep disorders.

A number of symptoms can suggest driver fatigue, including yawning, tired eyes, boredom, an inability to remember the last segment of the road, oversteering, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Drivers who notice these symptoms should pull over to rest, ideally getting out of the car and stretching as well. Many major highways provide rest stops for this purpose, and it is important to pull all the way off the highway to rest to avoid collisions.

Drivers should also ideally avoid driving at night, or travel with a companion who can share driving responsibilities. It is also important to rest before a major trip, and such expeditions should be started early in the morning, leaving the day clear for driving. Stretching and setting aside time for breaks during trips is also a great way to prevent fatigue. Many governments also recommend reducing driver fatigue by setting achievable distance goals, and recognizing the signs of sleepy driving early. It is better to pull over and be a bit late than get into an accident.

In the United States, the National Sleep Foundation estimates that around 20% of crashes may involve fatigued drivers. 37% of drivers in a 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration admitted that they had fallen asleep while driving. The risk of traffic accidents goes up at night due to a variety of factors, but fatigue is a major issue, and this risk also increases in rural and remote areas. The National Sleep Foundation asks drivers to “Drive Alert, Arrive Alive®.”

Share
WikiMotors is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By overreactor — On Jun 08, 2009

The numbers are staggering, of sleep deprived drivers and accidents caused by drivers who did not get enough sleep. Pretty scary.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wikimotors.org/what-is-driver-fatigue.htm
Copy this link
WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WikiMotors, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.