The main signs of impending driver fatigue include:

• Delayed actions and reactions;

• Driving speed variations;

• Constant yawning;

• Drifting between lanes;

• Eye soreness;

• Trouble keeping your head upright.

‘Sleep driving’ also leads to loss of attention, awareness and concentration. Drowsiness and the impending horrific danger of falling asleep at the wheel will surely follow.

What should you do to stay awake?

There is no doubt that driving long distances without appropriate ‘self-induced’ rest breaks is unsafe driving behaviour.

So make sure you are fully rested before tackling a long drive. If you know you’ve got a long drive, get to bed early, and don’t have a heavy night!

Drivers must never take dangerous life threatening chances by continuing to drive when falling asleep.  The risk is monumental and the consequences worse.

Just a 10 minute stop to refresh yourself is all you may need.  Never take this subject lightly as it could be the last time you do.

Remember, the safest way is never to allow yourself to get tired behind the wheel in the first place. But it can happen.

Eight top tips to prevent sleeping at the wheel

• The first rule is awareness. Particularly if you are driving at those vulnerable times – and the afternoon is the worst for company car drivers – know that the risk of tiredness is real. Know how you feel at different times as an individual.
• With that awareness in mind, at or even before the first signs of tiredness start looking / planning for a place to stop. The signs can appear very quickly so if you’re on the motorway, look for a service station before you feel tired.
• NEVER put off the break. It’s all too easy to drive past a service station and tell yourself you’ll stop at the next one.
• In the meantime, turn down the heater to lower cabin temperature and open windows to allow fresh air to enter. But don’t kid yourself that this is enough. You must still take that break.
• Keep your eyes moving and talk to yourself – where are you, what are you looking for.  Try to stay active visually and mentally.
• Once you’ve found a safe place to stop – get out and walk about, take a drink of coffee or an energy drink.  If possible take a short ‘power nap’.
• You must force yourself to stop periodically on long trips – particularly on motorways.  At least 15 minutes every 2 hours.
• And finally, don’t feel ashamed that you feel sleepy in the afternoon, and don’t get all macho either. It’s normal. Take steps to deal with it rather than trying to hide it.

Always remember; when related to driving, fatigue is a killer.

Stop – Refresh – Go …  life is precious!

Paul Ripley is the CEO of Driver Risk Dynamics