If you are having trouble keeping your eyes open behind the wheel, you are too tired to be driving.
In fact, driving while sleepy or fatigued has the potential to be extremely dangerous. While fatigue-related collisions appear to be a rare event on Manitoba roads (possibly due to drivers being reluctant to claim fatigue as a factor), the collisions that have been recorded are typically serious ones. This is because drowsy drivers tend to be driving at higher speeds and often don’t make corrective adjustments to avoid the crash.
Just the facts
- On average, one person is killed and five are seriously injured in fatigue-related crashes every year in Manitoba.
- The peak time for fatigue-related collisions is between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. (37 per cent). Other peak times are between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (24 per cent), and the hour between 11 p.m. and midnight (6 per cent).
- The vast majority – 92 per cent – of fatigue-related collisions occur between intersections.
Are you too tired to be driving?
Here are some signs to watch for:
- can’t stop yawning
- trouble keeping your eyes open
- can’t remember the last few kilometres you’ve driven
- drifting within your lane
- unable to concentrate
If you have one of these symptoms, it’s best to get off the road and to find a safe rest area to take a nap.