While out in your truck or car, you may look in your rearview mirror or out your window and see a car swerving around and not following the rules of the road.
Being able to recognize the signs of a drowsy driver can help you realize the dangers of this kind of driving.
Erratic speed changes
According to the United States Department of Transportation, if a car is speeding up and slowing down without warning, then the driver may be falling asleep behind the wheel. An overworked driver that does not sleep well during the night can easily become lulled into sleepiness by a long road or a quiet drive.
This means that you are in danger of getting sideswiped or run into as you drive alongside them. You may also notice a car near you hitting the rumble strips on the side of the road more than normal, which is a sign that the driver is not fully awake.
Strange body language
If you notice drivers in the cars next to you yawning constantly or dropping their heads to their chests, then you may be noticing people driving while drowsy. Closed eyes, even for a few seconds, can lead to someone missing a road sign or another person in a vehicle near them.
Slow reflexes
Tired people generally have shortened reaction times, which means that they will not be able to stop in time if they drift into another lane or another car pulls out in front of them. Drowsy drivers may not even remember the last few miles they drove in extreme circumstances.
Being able to notice how drowsiness affects driving can help you as you navigate various roads.