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Centre for Road Safety

  1. NSW Centre for Road Safety
  2. Staying safe
  3. Fatigue
  4. Tips to avoid driving tired

Tips to avoid driving tired

Rest areas provide a safe place for riders and drivers to stop, revive and survive.

Before you drive:

  • Get a good night’s sleep
  • Avoid driving at night when your body will naturally want to sleep
  • Arrange to share the driving
  • Avoid long drives after work
  • Plan to take regular breaks from driving (use rest areas)
  • Catch a cab or public transport instead
  • Ask someone for a lift
  • Find out if any medicine you are taking may affect your driving
  • Know what the early warning signs of fatigue are

If you feel tired when driving:

  • Pull over for a break in a safe place
  • Pull over for a nap (20 minutes works best)
  • Swap drivers if you can
  • Stop for a coffee if you’re on a short drive, although the effects of caffeine won't help for long and won't work for everyone. Caffeine is not suitable for some people and can be harmful. Limits on the daily consumption of caffeine are recommended.
  • Even if you don’t feel tired, take regular breaks to avoid becoming tired

Sleep is only cure

Remember that sleep is the only way to overcome tiredness.

The Science of sleep explains how circadian rhythms, sleep debt and sleep inertia affect your ability to drive.