Interstate hypnosis — Tennessee Permit Test

Interstate hypnosis is drowsiness or unawareness brought on by reduced activity and the steady sounds of wind, engine and tire hum.

The hum lulls you into staring ahead half-asleep, and you stop noticing what traffic is doing.

This is known as interstate hypnosis.

To fight interstate hypnosis, keep shifting your eyes left and right and check your mirrors instead of staring ahead.

Staring straight ahead can almost put you to sleep. Moving your eyes keeps your brain awake.

Get into the habit of shifting your eyes left and right and checking your rear view mirror.

Quit driving when you are drowsy; drowsiness is the first step in falling asleep.

Fighting sleep at the wheel rarely works. A nod-off at speed can put you off the road.

Drowsiness is the first step in falling asleep.

On long trips, take a break and get out of the car at least every 2 hours, or every 100 miles or so.

Even if you feel fine, hours of sitting dull your attention. A short walk wakes you up.

Take a break and get out of the car at least every two hours, or every 100 miles or so.

It is safest for you and others if you do not drive more than 8 hours per day.

After a full day at the wheel, tired drivers react slowly and make mistakes they would not make fresh.

It is safest for you and others if you do not drive more than eight hours per day.

Keep your car's interior as cool as possible to fight interstate hypnosis.

A warm, stuffy car makes you sleepy. Cool air helps keep you alert.

Keep your car’s interior as cool as possible.

What is interstate hypnosis?

Drowsiness from steady, dull driving. The hum lulls you into staring ahead half-asleep, and you stop noticing what traffic is doing. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.71: “This is known as interstate hypnosis.”