Drunk driving and speeding get much of the focus when it comes to road traffic collisions. While this attention is warranted, there are also several other factors to consider.
Studies suggest that fatigued driving plays a role in around 17% of fatal accidents. What are some of the more common signs of driver fatigue?
Poor reactions
Driving is a routine activity for millions of people, and it can almost feel automatic. People may take the same route every day. The illusion here is that drivers can believe that they are not required to focus. However, driving always requires focus and split-second decision-making.
If you are on your usual route and fail to react to a hazard quickly, such as a traffic light changing to red, it could be a sign that you’re too tired. The safest option in a situation like this is to pull over and rest and not drive again until you feel rejuvenated.
Heavy eyes
When you’re tired, your eyes start to feel heavy. They may water and you may feel a constant need to blink. Even if you don’t feel physically tired, heavy eyes are a sign that fatigue is starting to kick in. Heavy eyes are often paired with constant yawning.
Trembling hands
While fatigue is often obvious, sometimes the signs may not be what we immediately think of. For example, a sudden trembling of the hands is a common symptom of fatigue that many people attribute to something else. This is very dangerous as trembling hands limit a driver’s ability to control the vehicle.
You can only monitor the signs of fatigue in yourself and not other drivers. There is a chance that a fatigued driver crashes into you. If this happens and you are injured, financial compensation could be an option.
