Safety and Injury Prevention

Driving Fatigued

Did you know?

• Driving while tired is as dangerous as driving impaired.

According to Traffic Injury Research Foundation one in five Canadian drivers - an estimated 4.1 million people admit to having “nodded off” or fallen asleep while driving. This is a scary statistic given the fact that driving while tired is compared to driving drunk. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving is responsible for 100,000 crashes, 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths annually. In Canada fatigue is listed as a contributing factor in more than 2,000 fatal or injury crashes. This statistic is believed to be low. The majority of people would find driving under the influence of alcohol wrong so why is it okay to drive tired?

Tips to Avoid Drowsy Driving

• Drive only when rested
  Don't take the wheel if you feel tired, have some sleep or exercise first.
  
  
• Keep your mind alert
  Listen to talk shows or up-tempo music. Try to have company on long trips. Change positions frequently.
  
  
• Find a safe place to stop
  On a long trip every couple of hours if you start to feel sleepy, pull off the road for a break, exercise and fresh air. Don’t rely on coffee.
  
  
• Be careful about what you eat and drink
  Coffee, sugars or other stimulants may wake you up physically but they do not ensure mental alertness. Drink water, juice or soft drinks low in sugar and caffeine. Choose high protein snacks. Avoid medications that makes you drowsy.
  
  

References
    Traffic Injury Research Foundation
    Canada Safety Council

Note: This information is not a substitute for medical advice given by a physician. Please discuss the information presented on this website with your physician.