Drowsy driving — Nebraska Permit Test

If you are drowsy, don't drive; pull over to a safe area as soon as you can and take a short nap.

A tired driver can fall asleep for seconds at a time and drift off the road without waking.

Pull over to a safe area as soon as you can and take a short nap.

As little as 10-20 minutes of sleep can make a big difference to a drowsy driver.

Drivers who skip the nap because they think it will not help keep going until they nod off.

As little as 10-20 minutes of sleep can make a big difference.

To avoid fatigue crashes, take a mid-afternoon break and avoid driving in the early morning and late at night.

Late at night and before dawn the body wants to sleep, and a driver can doze at the wheel.

Take a mid-afternoon break and avoid driving in the early morning and late at night.

Signs of driving fatigue include yawning, heavy eyelids, not remembering the last few miles, missing road signs, head nodding, and hitting rumble strips.

A driver who ignores these warnings keeps going until the car leaves the road while they sleep.

Know the signs of driving fatigue (falling asleep at stop signs, yawning, heavy eyelids, difficulty remembering the last few miles driven, missing road signs, unplanned lane changes, head nodding or driving off the road or hitting rumble strips).

Rolling down a window, chewing gum, or turning up the radio does not work to prevent drowsiness; talking to a passenger and changing drivers does help.

A driver who trusts cold air or loud music to stay awake drives on and falls asleep anyway.

Talk to a passenger and change drivers, listen to talk radio, or listen to a talking book recording.

Caffeine, energy drinks, and other stimulants are not reliable for staying alert.

Coffee can wear off without warning, and the driver who counted on it falls asleep at speed.

Caffeine, energy drinks and other stimulants are not reliable for staying alert.

Talking on a cell phone or texting should never be used to stay awake while driving.

Trying to stay awake with a phone adds a distraction on top of being tired, so the danger grows.

Talking on a cell phone or texting should never be used to stay awake.

What should you do if you become drowsy while driving?

Pull over safely and take a short nap. A tired driver can fall asleep for seconds at a time and drift off the road without waking. Nebraska Driver’s Manual, p.65: “Pull over to a safe area as soon as you can and take a short nap.”