Why am I tired after long car rides?
Scientific research on this topic has shown that the conditions within a car whilst driving are enou Read More
Can driving long distances cause fatigue?
Joey Rippin
2025-07-06 19:02:28
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A simple lack of sleep is usually the main problem, but there are other reasons you can become sleepy while driving. Driving a long distance after a full day’s work can cause tiredness. Fatigue was identified as a contributory factor in 17% of all fatal road collisions in Scotland. It impairs performance, increases reaction times and reduces attention. Driving tired causes slower reaction times. It also reduces concentration and alertness. Collisions are 50% more likely to end up in death or serious injury. When you’re asleep, you don’t brake or try to avoid the collision. This leads to more severe high-impact collisions.
Carter Hahn
2025-06-22 22:14:40
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: 16
Many of us have experienced that overwhelming fatigue that sets in after spending several hours behind the wheel. Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend getaway or a well-planned cross-country expedition, long drives can be both exciting and exhausting.
Physical inactivity is one of the primary reasons for feeling tired after a long drive, as sitting in the same position for an extended period can lead to muscle stiffness and decreased blood circulation. Lack of movement and exercise can cause fatigue as the body’s energy levels drop, leading to a feeling of tiredness. Driving requires mental alertness, concentration, and constant decision-making, and the prolonged focus and heightened attention required during a long drive can lead to mental fatigue. The brain is constantly processing information from the road, navigating directions, monitoring traffic, and making split-second decisions, which can exhaust our cognitive resources, leaving us feeling drained and tired.
The constant vibrations and motions experienced during a long drive can also play a role in causing fatigue, as the subtle vibrations from the vehicle’s engine and the rhythmic movements can lull the body into a state of drowsiness. Preparing for a road trip often involves early mornings, late nights, and a disrupted sleep schedule, which can lead to sleep deprivation, significantly impacting our energy levels and cognitive functioning. Feeling tired after a long drive is a common experience, resulting from a combination of physical inactivity, mental fatigue, monotony, vibrations, and reduced sleep quality.
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Leopoldo Crist
2025-06-22 18:53:40
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Fatigue can be dangerous for any driver who spends long hours on the road. If you have a disability, this is something to be even more aware of. Some drivers with disabilities might experience chronic pain, limited mobility, or other health conditions that can lead to more intense feelings of fatigue. Fatigue can be caused by many things – from simple things such as a lack of sleep or driving for too long, to more specific factors such as jetlag, ill health and even certain medications. The Highway Code states that driving when you’re tired greatly increases your risk of collision. Tiredness affects a driver’s reaction times and concentration levels, and with that comes a greater risk of accidents. Plan your journey to include regular rest breaks, and don’t try to drive more than 8-10 hours a day. Take regular breaks – the Highway Code recommends that you include 15-minute breaks for every two hours of driving.
Eve Brekke
2025-06-22 18:10:50
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: 22
Driving makes us tired because there are many reasons for it. You’re not just sitting there, as it may seem. Driver fatigue is influenced by the time of day you’re driving, and our bodies are naturally programmed to sleep at night and be awake during the day. This cycle is regulated by our internal body clock or circadian rhythm. As expected, your body regulates sleep at night, but there is also a spike in the production of melatonin during the afternoon. Additionally, sitting for long periods of time slows your blood flow as your body says, “I will save you energy”, which can put you in the mood for sleep. When you’re tired, your reaction times are heavily impeded, making driving feel like a draining task. What does it mean when we feel ‘drained’ is that you are constantly aware of your surrounds, reacting to what you see and what you hear, all while keeping your car moving at the right speed and in the right direction. Long stretches of empty road – where it seems you’re doing little but driving in a straight line – become monotonous pretty quickly, and this dull routine is the time where you might start to feel drowsy. You’re dehydrated or hungry, and if you’re reaching for a sugar hit, you’ll be pleased to know it will give you a boost of energy quickly – however, that’s only temporary.
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Why do I feel tired after driving for 2 hours?
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