Accident I was driving and fell asleep

[ryanparrish]

I got in a minor accident on M6 I fell asleep while driving I felt so bad about the accident I wish I did not have a car now. If I was cycling I wouldn't have fallen asleep at least all I need is a new headlight anyone else have an accident like this

[Wogsterca]

I got in a minor accident on M6 I fell asleep while driving I felt so bad about the accident I wish I did not have a car now. If I was cycling I wouldn't have fallen asleep at least all I need is a new headlight anyone else have an accident like this

Uh no, there are four possibilities, if you feel like your going under while driving, I have worked a few night shift jobs over the years, furthest I have ever gotten was step 3:D .

Coffee, regular not that decrappitated junk, add something sweat like a donut or pastry.

If that doesn't work, Roll down the window works best when the temperature is cold.

If that doesn't work, Find a hard rock station and put the volume on 11

Still feel like going under, pull off, put your seat back, and go to sleep, even if only a cat nap, this will take the edge off, and you can probably drive for an hour or two on that. If you have a long way to go, find a low price motel, the cost of the motel is going to be less, then the cost of a funeral.

[Platy]

...I fell asleep while driving...anyone else have an accident like this
Yeah, the guy sitting next to me on the Greyhound bus a few years ago had an accident like that. He spilled his guts, I figure he needed to dump it all on a stranger. Said he killed an entire family. He was on his way to a hearing for some flavor of manslaughter.

Looks like you get a second chance. Drive safe, okay?

[Sir Lunch-a-lot]

When I was in drivers ed, we were told that if we need to open the window or put on music, then it is time to pull over. Those things are moderately effective. So, if you are getting to the point of falling asleep, maybe do the whole cracking the window open thing and then find a rest stop on the side of the road (I know they have those on the Trans-Canada highway) or one of these field access roads to pull onto. An hour nap will do a world of good (I took a 2 - 2 1/2 hour nap today after barely managing to get any sleep last night, and I felt like I got a good 7-8 hours right there. it was amazing!). Apparently, driving while sleepy is considered impaired driving under the law just like driving drunk is impaired driving.

Also, something I have heard is as good or better than coffee to wake a person up is eating an apple (probably 'cause it gets muscles moving and blood flowing to the brain). So, maybe have a nice apple with that coffee and doughnut.

One other thing that may be helpful: I have found that I more easily turn into a driving zombie when I use cruise control. As soon as I am manually regulating the speed, I am forced to pay attention to everything else, and I am far more alert (which is why I have decided to quit using cruise control most of the time I drive). So, you may find it helpful to try going without cruise when you start feeling sleepy.

[donrhummy]

I believe lack of sleep, or driving when drowsy, is among the top reasons for car crashes. I know it's the number ONE cause for truck driving accidents.

This goes back to one of the conversations we'd had with someone on here about driving home drunk versus riding a bike home drunk. If you fell asleep while riding your bike, at most, you'd knock yourself out and possibly kill yourself (if you fell into the street at night). However, if you fall asleep in a car you can potentially kill a ton of people (causing a car pileup, hitting other cars, running into crowds, etc)

[supcom]

I got in a minor accident on M6 I fell asleep while driving I felt so bad about the accident I wish I did not have a car now. If I was cycling I wouldn't have fallen asleep at least all I need is a new headlight anyone else have an accident like this

I know people who have fallen asleep while cycling. It's pretty common during long brevets. Fatigue is fatigue. But, at least you usually only hurt yourself if you fall asleep on the bike.

[deputyjones]

I got in a minor accident on M6 I fell asleep while driving I felt so bad about the accident I wish I did not have a car now. If I was cycling I wouldn't have fallen asleep at least all I need is a new headlight anyone else have an accident like this

Well, you can count this one as an invaluable lesson in how easy it is to kill yourself or someone else with a car. No worries though, as long as you keep this lesson in mind in the future which I am sure you will.

[Sammyboy]

Stop and have a sleep - even 10 minutes makes a lot of difference. Then, get out of the car and walk around for a minute or two. Don't be surprised if you need to repeat this within the hour, but remember, it's better to be late than dead.

[treefire]

My ex-wife was killed on January 27th when she fell asleep at the wheel. She went off a small cliff. She didn't hit anyone. I really, really HATE cars.

Clayton

[mmerner]

I've found that stopping and doing a short brisk walk can really help.

[ryanparrish]

My ex-wife was killed on January 27th when she fell asleep at the wheel. She went off a small cliff. She didn't hit anyone. I really, really HATE cars.

Clayton

That sucks horribley bad I wish cars were not so comfortable if they had hardplastic seats and no air conditioning or heat I think I wouldn't have that problem. Thanks for the responses I am hopefully will be done with this job by June and will be moving to CO for a couple months for a more normal job

[Roody]

Okay, carfree forum and everybody is giving advice on how to drive safely! :rolleyes:

I think ryanparrish is right in the OP, that he should quit driving and ride a bike.

Ryan, is the main thing holding you back that you need a headlight? That can be easily fixed!

[Sir Lunch-a-lot]

Okay, carfree forum and everybody is giving advice on how to drive safely! :rolleyes:

Well... other than the existance of cars, one of the biggest complaints on the forums is bad drivers, right? Since not all of us can avoid using a car all of the time, how to drive safely is something that should be discussed from time to time in order that we may do our part to make the road a safer place, both while we are in the cage and out of it. It makes perfect sense to discuss this in the car free forums, IMHO.

[Roody]

Well... other than the existance of cars, one of the biggest complaints on the forums is bad drivers, right? Since not all of us can avoid using a car all of the time, how to drive safely is something that should be discussed from time to time in order that we may do our part to make the road a safer place, both while we are in the cage and out of it. It makes perfect sense to discuss this in the car free forums, IMHO.
I think it would make more sense to talk about how to ride safely, although there's a separate subforum for that too.

I mean somebody comes on and says he wants to be carfree, and we tell him he should keep driving but roll the windows down? Come on! That's just plain crazy. :rolleyes:

Let's give ryanparrish some helpful advice on being carfree, not helpful advice on safe driving.

[Icycle]

Studies show that driving while drowsy has just as much negative impact on your ability to drive safely as driving under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, we have not had nearly as much publicity about how dangerous driving while drowsy is.

As others have said, if you feel like you are going to fall asleep, get off the road! Stop driving and take a nap. It's far better to be a little late than to be dead.

What many people don't realize is that when you are very fatigued, you can fall asleep suddenly, involuntarily, and without warning. In fact, you can experience a phenomenon known as "microsleep", where you lose consciousness for a few seconds or even up to a minute at a time, and not even be aware that you were asleep. Because driving requires constant attention, even a few seconds of microsleep can be enough to cause an accident.

[krazygluon]

That is part of the beauty of cycling: you can't fall asleep pedaling. I wake up DEAD some mornings and the worst that happens is my average goes down half an mph.

[Roody]

Stop driving and take a nap.


Better yet, stop driving and ride a damn bike!

Or at least take a bus.

Get your life in order, plan better and prioritize. You can make the time to get enough sleep. If you get rid of the car, you can afford to cut back on work hours and get more sleep, and have more time for exercise so that you will sleep better at night.

[kjohnnytarr]

I heard of a trucker who would hold his wallet in his left hand, out the window. Never, ever, fell asleep.

[Sir Lunch-a-lot]

That is part of the beauty of cycling: you can't fall asleep pedaling. I wake up DEAD some mornings and the worst that happens is my average goes down half an mph.

I'm pretty sure I've heard about people managing to do it (particularly those who have been cycling for a long time and haven't eaten much).Certainly, it would be much more difficult to fall asleep on a bike.

I heard of a trucker who would hold his wallet in his left hand, out the window. Never, ever, fell asleep.

Hah! Too funny!

[kemmer]

I learned a similar lesson. A few years ago I was driving and talking on the phone. All of the sudden I saw a car pulling into the intersection in front of me. I slammed on the brakes thinking "this lady just ran a red light!" I looked at the light just before I smashed into her and my light was red. I'll never forget how it felt to get out of the car, ears ringing from the airbags, and seeing her car on it's side with three little kids in the backseat hanging from thier car seats crying. It was the second most horrible moment of my life even though I could tell everyone was pretty much OK. If someone had been seriously injured or killed I don't know how I could live with myself.

I NEVER drive drowsy.
I NEVER drive drunk.
I NEVER use my cel phone in the car.
I NEVER eat in the car.

I do all of the above on my bike, but the consequenses of a mistake are too high in a car.

[rajman]

Uh no, there are four possibilities, if you feel like your going under while driving, I have worked a few night shift jobs over the years, furthest I have ever gotten was step 3:D .

Coffee, regular not that decrappitated junk, add something sweat like a donut or pastry.

If that doesn't work, Roll down the window works best when the temperature is cold.

If that doesn't work, Find a hard rock station and put the volume on 11

Still feel like going under, pull off, put your seat back, and go to sleep, even if only a cat nap, this will take the edge off, and you can probably drive for an hour or two on that. If you have a long way to go, find a low price motel, the cost of the motel is going to be less, then the cost of a funeral.

+1x10^6

[JeffS]

Okay, carfree forum and everybody is giving advice on how to drive safely! :rolleyes:

No kidding. Carfree probably has more thread about driving than any other forum. I've no clue why. :mad:

[ryanparrish]

Yeah the headlight on my CAR is broken. What is stopping me from going car free is a 20 mile or so drive to work at 4:00 in the morning. I do not feel safe in my car at that time so I do not think I will feel any safer on a bicycle. What has been stopping me is that after work I would have to go to school that was 30-45 minutes away maybe about 20-30 mile driving distance. I will be going car free this summer when I am in CO so I am looking forward to that I can only take one bike I am going to bring my road bike I wish I had a surly CC becuase I might have to do some off roading

[Wogsterca]

No kidding. Carfree probably has more thread about driving than any other forum. I've no clue why. :mad:

Because some of us are car-lite, rather then car free, and even some of those who are car free, do drive occa....

As I type this, the cat just came by, jumped up and passed gas:eek::eek: :eek:

Okay, where was I, oh yea occassionally even largely car free people do drive. Personally I find that some trips are easier by car, especially, if your picking up a pile of stuff, I do need to get some cat food later, and some of those paper yard bags, to clear the garden tomorrow, and I will make that trip by bike. Gotta test out the new bike rack!!! Not sure whether I can get both at the same place or not, might be interesting to ride to Home Despot, in full biking gear..... They probably have had less then a dozen people go by bike, even though it's not a bad ride, from here.

[Caspar_s]

Yeah, don't drive...

But if you have to, don't do it drunk or tired or pissed off or high...

Sleeping driver plows through gas station (http://break.com/index/sleepy_driver_plows_into_gas_station.html)

Some of the other links and comments might be NSFW.

[hockeyteeth]

I fell asleep last year while driving. I was 2 miles from home at the end of a 90 mile drive so I was impatient. I mowed down three mailboxes. Windows down, music blaring, and singing at the top of my lungs couldn't stave off my exhaustion. Pretty lame, I know.

[wahoonc]

I have found that eating sunflower seeds will help with the drowsy feeling. Apparently the mental processes required to to shell and eat a seed helps keep you awake.:p (BTW I drive about 50k miles a year:( )

Aaron:)

[chephy]

Would you drive after four beers? I hope not. Well, when you're that sleepy, it's not any better than driving under impairment. It's worse. The OP is lucky he didn't kill himself or someone else. As there is no excuse for drunk driving, there is no excuse for sleepy driving.

[chephy]

What many people don't realize is that when you are very fatigued, you can fall asleep suddenly, involuntarily, and without warning. In fact, you can experience a phenomenon known as "microsleep", where you lose consciousness for a few seconds or even up to a minute at a time, and not even be aware that you were asleep. Because driving requires constant attention, even a few seconds of microsleep can be enough to cause an accident. Yep. My longest no-sleep period was 42 hours, in college (all-nighters... :)). Around the end of the 42nd hour I was sitting in a class, trying extremely hard to be awake and just could not do it. It was embarassing because it was only a class of four people, taught by a very enthusiastic and involved instructor. But no matter how hard I tried there was absolutely nothing I could do to keep awake. I'd be under the impression that I was dutifully taking notes and then suddenly wake up a tiny bit and realize that the notes turned into meaningless scribbles and then abruptly stopped while my head had been on the desk for god knows how long. Kind of scary.

I realize that most drowsy drivers are not quite at that extreme. But they can experience the same symptoms - maybe to a milder degree, but with far worse consequences than disappointing a dedicated instructor and missing a lecture...

[Big Tommy C]

Yeah, I think the worst thing about driving when you're about to fall asleep is that your judgement is the first thing to go out the window.

"Eh, I probably own't fall asleep. I'm almost there! I can make it!"

I've experienced the "microsleeps" before, and that's about enough to make me give up driving. Except I'm so damn far from everything and I'm really lazy.

[Cosmoline]

Back when I was a slave to the cage I had a 190 mile a day commute, and would frequently start to fall into REM sleep while driving. I would see giants come out across the highway and try to smash me. It's a miracle I didn't kill anyone. I'm never going through that nonsense again.

[HardyWeinberg]

I had a friend in college who drove off the road, asleep. Steering wheel through his chest, dead on the spot. It was one of those long end-of-term drives home.

[slagjumper]

When I was 18, I fell asleep at the wheel on a cross country ride Pittsburgh to Olympia WA. Lucky for me and my friend, there was only a flat tire. Since then I pull over whenever I feel tired. This type of accident is very likely for teens.

I had driven all night and was looking for a place to sleep, but just dozed off and drove into the median.

[Jyard]

Just for the record, i have fallen asleep while riding. I was on my way home from work, going a steady pace just trying to make it that next 50 feet type deal, and then in the blink of an eye i was on the ground skidding. tore my shoulder up pretty good. I work 3rd shift and get out around 4am in a small town so its dead quite. The rest of the way home i was wide awake =)