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AIBU?

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Original poster

Driving when tired...

17 replies

Bananabread123 · 22/10/2016 21:52

... We're told not to do this, and I totally understand why... BUT, it's not like driving after drinking which you can readily control. Say I've had a crap night, I can hardly call into work and say 'sorry, I feel tired, and as I have to drive in I'll won't be coming in'..... Or my daughter needs picking up from her dance class, and I've had a long day and feeling exhausted, I can't exactly leave her there...

And yet I've often heard and read glib 'never drive when you're tired' on MN and other places.

So what's the solution? A stiff coffee is the only practical answer as far as I can see, unless you literally haven't slept for days and are genuinely struggling to keep your eyes open, when you may need to accept you just can't drive safely.

OP posts:
e1y1 · 22/10/2016 22:07

Driving tired is as dangerous as driving drunk, but it depends on a few different things, "tired" affects everyone differently, also "how" tired you are.

If I am feeling not at my best (just a bit tired and could do with a nap etc), I will try to avoid driving where I can. If I am off-my-face tired (not slept at all the night before or something), I won't drive at all.

2 cups of strong coffee is supposed to be good if you need to drive somewhere (although not a long/unusual journey). Only other advice is what is already said, don't drive tired.

HeCantBeSerious · 22/10/2016 22:10

2nd thread about this today.

Fresh air and singing help me. Otherwise, a 20 min power nap.

RiverTam · 22/10/2016 22:10

MN is very glib about stuff like this, you're right there. Most of us will have driven when we're not 100% wide awake.

I wouldn't drive from London to Glasgow if I was knackered, but I would locally.

DomesticAnarchist · 22/10/2016 22:11

YANBU OP. (I have a frequently-waking 6mo. I can't remember what not-tired is!)

Also when it snows and the met office (or whoever) say 'only drive if it's essential' - so, that'll be to work and back then unless I want to be sacked. Hmm

OhTheRoses · 22/10/2016 22:12

DH once tore ligaments the night before we came back from holiday. Same night ds who was about 16 stayed out until 4am so I was awake and worrying about both of them.

Had to drive from South of France to The Loire. Horrid drive - coffee fuelled.

e1y1 · 22/10/2016 22:13

Mythbusters did it as an experiment (driving drunk vs driving tired). They drove worst whilst driving tired HERE

Stopyourhavering · 22/10/2016 22:13

Dh has no choice but to drive when he's tired sometimes....what's the alternative?

NewIdeasToday · 22/10/2016 22:14

Cans of Monster or another energy drink help if you have no choice but to drive.

DomesticAnarchist · 22/10/2016 22:14

Not every day though NewIdeas!

Cockadoodledooo · 22/10/2016 22:23

Many years ago I was given a tip that works for me - lick your finger and rub it across your eyebrow. Drive with the window open a little. Works for me.

Can't do the coffee thing as if I drink it after midday I can't sleep that night and my problem will be worse the next day.

Ameliablue · 22/10/2016 23:03

The problem is that it is subjective. There is a legal limit for drinking but how tired is to tired? If i think I'm too tired to be safe i don't drive but I'm always tired so it's not really tiredness that is the deciding factor, more concentration.

PinkSwimGoggles · 22/10/2016 23:07

20min power nap (possible even after a bad night)
and yes, driving tired is dangerous.
if you feel like shit drink a glass of water and lie down for 10-20 min.

honeyroar · 22/10/2016 23:13

I'm long haul cabin crew. I've met quite a few colleagues over the years that have had massive accidents due to driving tired. It's just not worth it!

I will have a can of Red Bull or a strong coffee when I need to drive and feel tired. Eating something helps too. Cold, fresh air is good, and music playing. Airwaves chewing gum is good for a quick fix too. But at the end of the day nothing works if you're really tired. A 20 min power nap works best of all.

NavyandWhite · 22/10/2016 23:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sallystyle · 22/10/2016 23:26

I'm tired after a 12.5 hour night shift. I have to drive because there are no buses at that time.

I hate it, windows down and it helps a lot.

PNGirl · 22/10/2016 23:30

My dad drove a lot for work before he retired and was an expert at pulling over, napping for about 8-10 minutes and waking up fresh as a daisy. Same on long drives with me and mum in the car. It was creepy!

quasibex · 22/10/2016 23:35

It depends on the roads I need to drive on whether I'll drive tired.

Locally I live in the city, if you can drive more than 1 minute without encountering a junction/crossing/traffic lights you're having a good day. No matter how tired you are this sort of driving forces concentration (unless you're so tired you could pass for drunk anyway in which case it's a moot point).

However anything requiring 5 or more minutes of 'hypnotic' driving (dual carriage ways, uninterrupted country roads, motorway etc) then I refuse to drive until rested.

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