Falling Asleep While Driving

How to stay safe and alert while driving

Driving is an essential part of daily life. Whether it's commuting to work, running errands, or shuttling kids between activities, staying alert behind the wheel is essential for your safety and the safety of others. Banner Health understands that driver fatigue is a real concern, and we’re here to help you recognize the warning signs and take steps to avoid drowsy driving crashes.

What happens when you drive while tired?

When you drive while tired or sleep deprived, your reaction time slows down, making it harder to respond quickly to traffic changes, obstacles or emergency situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Both situations impair your ability to make fast, safe decisions behind the wheel.

Driving tired doesn’t just put you in danger—it increases the risk for everyone on the road. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation reports that driver fatigue is responsible for thousands of crashes every year. If you're feeling drowsy or tired, it's important to take action immediately.

What increases your risk of drowsy driving?

If you're asking yourself, "Why do I feel tired when I drive?", there could be several reasons. Certain behaviors and circumstances can increase your risk for drowsy driving crashes. These include:

• Drinking alcohol, even in small amounts
• Driving long distances without taking regular breaks
• Driving alone on dark, rural roads
• Shift work or irregular sleep schedules
• Sleeping less than six hours per night, which triples your risk of a crash
• Suffering from sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome
• Driving after being awake for 24 hours or more

During Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, the National Sleep Foundation emphasizes how common driver fatigue is and the importance of being aware of its risks. Even brief lapses in attention, known as micro sleep, can be fatal. These moments, where you doze off for just a few seconds, can lead to devastating consequences. It's critical to prevent drowsy driving before it becomes dangerous.

Signs of fatigue while driving

Recognizing the signs of fatigue while driving is key to avoiding accidents. Some warning signs include:

• Frequent yawning
• Trouble keeping your head up
• Difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open
• Drifting between lanes
• Hitting rumble strips on the side of the road

If you experience any of these symptoms, avoid driving further. Pull over in a safe place immediately and rest.

Over-the-counter medications that cause drowsiness

Some medications you take for cold, flu or allergies can make you drowsy. These include:

• Diphenhydramine, found in Benadryl® Allergy
• Brompheniramine, an ingredient in Dimetapp®
• Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant in many cold remedies

Always read labels and warnings to know how medications may affect your ability to drive. If you're unsure, consult with your pharmacist or doctor.

What to do if you feel tired while driving

If you feel tired while driving, it's important to take action right away. Here are a few ways to stay awake and alert:

• Stop and rest: If possible, find a safe place to pull over and take a 20-minute nap.
• Switch drivers: If you're driving with someone else, ask them to take over.
• Drink caffeine: Caffeine can help with short-term alertness, but it takes about 30 minutes to kick in.
• Take regular breaks: For long drives, stop every two hours to rest and stretch.

Preventing drowsy driving crashes

To reduce the risk of fatigue-related crashes, consider the following tips:

• Get enough sleep: Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to avoid driving tired.
• Plan your route: If you're driving long distances, plan to take rest breaks every few hours.
• Use rumble strips: These help keep you alert by making noise if your car veers off the road.
• Limit late-night driving: If possible, drive during daylight hours when you're naturally more awake.

The impact of driver fatigue

Driver fatigue is a major contributor to traffic accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowsy driving crashes are more likely to occur between midnight and 6 a.m., when people are most likely to be sleep deprived. Reaction times slow down, and it becomes harder to stay awake, increasing the likelihood of a fatigue-related crash.

Being aware of your own tiredness is important to preventing accidents. If you find yourself struggling to stay awake or constantly feeling fatigued while driving, reach out to Banner Health. Our sleep specialists can help diagnose potential sleep disorders and offer solutions to improve your sleep and keep you safe on the road.