drivemecrazy

It is a fact that drowsy drivers are usually involved in road accidents. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation had stated that nearly half of all fatal crashes are attributed to fatigue or drowsy driving. To support that, even the Department of Transportation also estimates that about four percent of traffic fatalities in the U.S. are linked to fatigue.

Accident data had established the profile of drowsy drivers as young people (more often are males), those who have changing work hours, drivers who insist on driving through the night, those who drive long distances between breaks, and those who take medication (or even alcohol). Added to the list are drivers who drive frequently and those who drive alone.

However, the curse of drowsy driving does not only concern the driver but it extends even to innocent passengers and even to other people on the road. With that, passengers should be always on the lookout for drivers who sooner or later would fall into a catastrophic sleep in front of the steering wheel. So if you are a passenger, better watch out for these signs:

• Weaving. Have you been noticing that the driver has been, most of the time, making steering corrections? Get that alarm ringing! He could be distracted enough by his fatigue or drowsiness from driving. 
• Erratic or confused behavior. When you notice that the driver had grown so quiet, it is a sign. Also, the same applies when the driver engages in conversations just to stay awake. A more obvious sign is if what he or she is saying doesn’t make any sense at all. 
• Restlessness. Fidgeting. This is a sign that the driver is fighting so much his or her urge to sleep. He or she keeps on moving around--restless as you call it. 
• Tailgating unusually close to other vehicles. More often than not, it’s not only tailgating but any driving style that’s unusually deviated from the normal practice of the driver. 
• The jerking neck. Also called microsleep, this is when the driver really falls asleep for a moment. This is for sure the sign you would not want to see. At least, the other signs involve the driver’s urge to fight it but in this case, it’s different and it’s more dangerous. 
• Other physical signs of fatigue. Signs such as frequent yawning, shallow breathing, and less frequent eye blinking speak of fatigue and drowsiness. 

If you have been observing that the driver right beside or in front of you have these characteristics, then better advise him or her to stop and rest. It would be the safest move of a concerned passenger like you. Let’s all travel safely!