You have a body clock called a ‘circadian rhythm’ that allows you to live a normal day-to-day life by planning when you should be awake and asleep. Your body clock makes you tired when you should be asleep and can be very dangerous when driving.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is the feeling of being tired, sleepy or exhausted and is a major cause of crashes. Fatigue can slow your reflexes, affect your attention, affect your judgement, and cause you to fall asleep at the wheel.

Fatigue affects everyone regardless of driving experience, but experienced drivers are often better able to avoid fatigue by knowing when to take a break.

Stop and rest if you feel fatigued while driving

How can I stop fatigue?

The only way to stop fatigue is by getting enough sleep, and the only way to treat driver fatigue once you have started driving is to stop and rest.

Not sleeping for 17 hours has the same effect on driving as a BAC of 0.05 and not sleeping for 24 hours has the same effect as a BAC of 0.10.

Early signs of fatigue:

Missing road signs
Slow reactions
Tired, sore or heavy eyes
Daydreaming
Struggling to stay in the lane
Troubles changing gear
Yawning
Poor concentration
Drowsiness
Blurred vision
Dim/fuzzy vision

Repeated yawning is an early sign of fatigue

Make sure to take breaks! If you feel tired or notice any of these early signs of fatigue - STOP AND REST!

When can fatigue happen?

Typical situations when fatigue can happen:

When you drive soon after waking up. You have a high risk of fatigue during the first 30 minutes after waking up.
If you are driving when you would normally be sleeping (e.g. 10 pm - 6 am). Your blood pressure and temperature falls during these hours, which impairs your ability to perform tasks (this is part of your natural sleep pattern and there is nothing you can do about it). Crash risk is much higher during these hours.
When you have been awake for longer than usual. The risk increases greatly after being awake for 17 hours.
When you haven’t had enough sleep. You can only you acquire a ‘sleep debt’ that can only be repaid by sleeping.
When you have been driving non-stop for a long time. The longer you drive, the higher the risk of fatigue. Stop 15 minutes every 2 hours.

Microsleep

Driving while tired can cause microsleeps. Microsleep is a short, unintended loss of consciousness characterised by closing of the eyes, head snapping or nodding.

At 60 mph a 1-second microsleep means that the car will travel about 27m without the driver having any control.

Avoiding fatigue

Take regular breaks to avoid fatigue

To reduce the risk of fatigue:

Don’t drive when tired!
Drive with a companion - that way you can switch drivers every once in a while
Schedule regular stops (e.g. 15 minutes every 2 hours)
Avoid driving just after waking up. Your body won’t have adjusted fully
Don’t take alcohol and/or medications to become more alert. It will have the opposite effect

Road to Your Licence - Driving Theory

Priority at Unmarked Crossroads & Junctions

Direction Signals & Arm Signals

Roundabouts & Mini Roundabouts

Road Lane Markings & Reflective Studs

Speed Limits

Road Positioning

Road Safety, Stopping Distances & Safety Margin

Driving Around Large & Heavy Goods Vehicles

Pedestrian Rules: How to Act Near Pedestrians

Sharing the Road with Others

Designated Lanes: Bus, Crawler, Climbing & HOV lanes

Turning Rules, U-turns & 3-point Turns

Traffic Lights

Parking Restrictions

Essential Parking & Stopping Signs

Defensive Driving Essentials

Alcohol and Drink Drive Limits

Fitness to Drive

Drug Driving

Getting Your Provisional Licence

Essential Documents

Distracted Driving & Road Rage

Motorways

Use of Car Lights

Overtaking Safely & Rules

Driving in Tunnels

Don't Speed - Drive Responsibly

Level Crossings

Driving in Bad Weather

Dealing with Hazards

Roadwork Sites & Rules

Driving Emergencies and Vehicle Breakdowns

What To Do In A Crash & First Aid (DR ABC)

Driving a Roadworthy Vehicle

Seat Belt Law & Child Car Seats

Towing Tips & Laws

Eco Safe Driving

Driving Offences, Penalties & Penalty Points

Fatigue

Chapter 25

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