Drowsy driving

By the end of this topic you can

• You can recognize the early and late warning signs of drowsiness.
• You can name the times of day and kinds of trip when fatigue crashes are most likely.
• You can plan a long drive with rest breaks.
• You can choose a safe place to stop and rest.
• You can explain why coffee, music and fresh air are not a fix.

What you need to know and understand

• Alberta's government says driving while tired is impaired driving, and that being awake for 17 to 19 hours is comparable to a blood alcohol content of 0.05%.
• In the Northwest Territories, police can issue a 24-hour roadside suspension if they suspect a driver is fatigued.
• Ontario's handbook says drowsiness crashes are most common from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. and in the late afternoon, around 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Shift workers, people with untreated sleep disorders and drivers on long steady trips are at higher risk.
• The NWT manual recommends stopping and walking around at least once every two hours.
• Caffeine only helps briefly and can wear off suddenly.

Signs that you are too tired to drive

Ontario's handbook warns that even one of these signs may mean you are about to fall asleep. Do not wait until you notice several.

• Your eyes keep closing or feel heavy, and you keep yawning.
• Your head nods forward or your mind wanders.
• You cannot remember the last few kilometres.
• You miss traffic lights, signals or signs.
• You drift toward the next lane or the shoulder and jerk back.
• You stop scanning and stare straight ahead (an early sign noted by SGI).

Why new drivers are at risk

Driving still takes a lot of mental effort when you are learning, so you can tire faster than an experienced driver. Late-night trips home, early starts for school or work, and long straight highways are a risky mix. ICBC also warns that feeling dizzy or drowsy while the engine runs can be a sign of carbon monoxide from a leaky exhaust; turn off the engine and get fresh air.

Several provinces restrict late-night driving for new drivers. Those rules exist partly because tiredness and darkness together raise the crash risk.

Planning a trip that keeps you alert

Turning up the radio, opening a window or drinking an energy drink may make you feel more awake for a few minutes, but they do not remove the need for sleep. If you have to stop at the roadside, pull well off the road and use your hazard lights.

1. Sleep properly the night before. Avoid starting a long drive straight after a night shift.
2. Plan a break about every two hours and pick rest areas before you leave.
3. Share the driving with another driver if your licence conditions allow it.
4. Avoid the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. window where you can.
5. At the first warning sign, stop in a safe, well-lit place such as a rest area, lock the doors and nap.

Common mistakes

• Trying to push on to the next town after noticing warning signs. Stop at the first safe place.
• Relying on coffee or loud music. Use them only alongside a real rest stop, never instead of one.
• Planning a long drive with no breaks. Build in a stop about every two hours.
• Using cruise control when tired. Keep active control of your speed so you notice changes in alertness.
• Stopping on the shoulder of a busy highway to nap. Use a rest area or other safe, legal parking place.

Test yourself: Drowsy driving

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Drowsy Driving in Canada