How to Avoid Falling Asleep at the Wheel

At a glance

In this article, we give you some practical tips on:

How to avoid falling asleep at the wheel
Which tricks and tips don't work
The possible causes of drowsiness (the symptoms)

Drowsiness or falling asleep at the wheel causes a large number of road accidents, and not only during the long drives at the start or end of holidays, but also in everyday life.

Drowsy driving

Some frightening figures

1/20: According to a 2018 study published by the Vias Institute, 1 in 20 car trips is made by a driver in a drowsy state. It's unlikely that these figures have improved since the survey.

1/3: Falling asleep at the wheel is thus said to be the cause of a third of serious or fatal accidents on the road.

2/3: Two thirds of people questioned in various surveys admit to having already had to fight signs of drowsiness while driving.

How to avoid drowsy driving?

Don't set off on a long trip when you feel tired or exhausted. Many holidaymakers leave at the end of the day after a long day at work: that's not a good idea!
Don't try to fight sleep at all costs, even (and especially) if only a few kilometers remain. The final kilometers are the most dangerous. Take a break.
Stop every 2 hours and rest (preferably a nap of no more than 15 to 20 minutes so as not to enter a deep sleep phase).
Make sure you get a regular and sufficient sleep schedule (8 hours) before setting off on a long trip.
Avoid certain time slots (from 1 pm to 3 pm and from 2 am to 5 am) if you have to drive a long distance.
Avoid a high temperature in the car, which can make you drowsy.
Lower the brightness of your dashboard lighting so your eyes get less tired.
Driving for a long time on a poorly lit or unlit road is very tiring, especially when you're regularly dazzled by oncoming traffic.
If several of you can drive, take turns driving regularly.
If you're regularly prone to drowsiness while driving, talk to your doctor about it. You may have a sleep disorder or be taking medication that causes drowsiness. Note: be careful, as someone suffering from sleep apnea may be declared unfit to drive!

False remedies for fighting drowsiness at the wheel

Blinking your eyes and "waiting it out": this won't work, because your brain's "sleep system" is already activated.
Drinking coffee or an energy drink will only have a very temporary effect.
Opening the windows while driving.
Turning up the volume of the radio or listening to music "at full blast".
Driving faster (this will only tire you out more quickly).
Having someone just as tired as you keep you company (who is therefore also likely to fall asleep). The ideal is to have a companion who stays awake and talks with you during the trip.

The symptoms

Heavy eyelids, stinging eyes
Frequent yawning
Lack or loss of concentration
Microsleep (a brief moment of dozing off for a few seconds)
Loss of control of the vehicle (speed, trajectory, maneuvers, reflexes…)

The causes

Being awake for more than 17 consecutive hours. (Such a state is equivalent to about 0.5 g of alcohol in the blood).
Insufficient sleep (depending on individual needs, a person needs more than 6 to 8 hours of sleep).
An irregular rest-wake cycle.
Irregular working hours.
Sleep disorders (including sleep apnea).
Taking medication (read the leaflets carefully to find out about side effects).
Prolonged driving on monotonous roads (the risk increases after 60 km).
Driving during rest hours (biorhythm).
Drinking alcohol or eating a meal that is "too heavy". Drinking a little alcohol with a meal (a glass of beer or wine) can make you drowsy.
Drug use.
… and of course a combination of the various causes listed above!

And finally: Dozing off or falling asleep at the wheel is not only a risk on long trips (holidays): it can happen just as easily on a shorter, regular trip, such as the commute from home to work.

Don't forget that inattention caused by drowsy driving can endanger your safety, that of your passengers and that of other road users!