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I have driven while probably more buzzed than I should have been (a stupid decision I will not repeat), and I have driven in the middle of the night, exhausted

I have driven while probably more buzzed than I should have been (a stupid decision I will not repeat), and I have driven in the middle of the night, exhausted and more fatigued than I realized. I'd say fatigue is the worse option frankly, because it will creep up on you unaware. All it takes is a tiny, tiny lapse in judgement at high speed to create a big problem. While driving at night, high speed on an unlit country road, I didn't even realize I was drifting and managed to clip the grass and nearly lose control of the vehicle. Thank the heavens I was able to recover and avoid a crash, but it was also a massive wake-up call. Like, "oh, crap, I really can't focus right now. When did that happen?" I slowed down, found the next rest area and napped before continuing. Since then, I take breaks much more seriously on long trips and try to avoid driving for long periods after dark. I don't understand where these long haul truckers find their stamina.

genocidicbunny 4y ago
> I don't understand where these long haul truckers find their stamina. I've spent quite a lot of time driving on I5 in the western US which has a very high volume of truck traffic. I can pretty confidently say that a lot of these truck drivers do not have the stamina you think they have. Many of them are driving just as fatigued and unfocused as you describe yourself being. I make it a point to avoid going over either the south California mountain passes, or the north California ones, after dark, for that very reason.
jcadam 4y ago
Newer vehicles with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping can get you into trouble w/ dozing off (the vehicle can keep going for a while before veering off the side of the road). My '21 F-150 complains if I take my hands off the wheel while in cruise - which is annoying when I'm just trying to hold the wheel loosely on a long trip. It also politely suggests I take a break after X hours of uninterrupted driving.
HeyLaughingBoy 4y ago
I feel you. I've had the same thing happen except it was dawn on I95 in one of the Carolinas. Scared the crap out of me and like you, stopped at the next rest stop for a nap.

genocidicbunny 4y ago

> I don't understand where these long haul truckers find their stamina. I've spent quite a lot of time driving on I5 in the western US which has a very high volume of truck traffic. I can pretty confidently say that a lot of these truck drivers do not have the stamina you think they have. Many of them are driving just as fatigued and unfocused as you describe yourself being. I make it a point to avoid going over either the south California mountain passes, or the north California ones, after dark, for that very reason.

jcadam 4y ago

Newer vehicles with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping can get you into trouble w/ dozing off (the vehicle can keep going for a while before veering off the side of the road). My '21 F-150 complains if I take my hands off the wheel while in cruise - which is annoying when I'm just trying to hold the wheel loosely on a long trip. It also politely suggests I take a break after X hours of uninterrupted driving.

HeyLaughingBoy 4y ago

I feel you. I've had the same thing happen except it was dawn on I95 in one of the Carolinas. Scared the crap out of me and like you, stopped at the next rest stop for a nap.