Rest Stops

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” - George Carlin

In an effort to save money, the WSJ reports that states are closing some roadside rest stops (i.e. Virginia, Louisiana, Maine, Vermont, and Colorado. Others like Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Arizona are considering it.) This is bad for motorists. According to a German study from 2007, “driver fatigue (sleepiness, tiredness) is the largest identifiable and preventable cause of road accidents worldwide, accounting for approximately 15-20 percent of all accidents.”

Fatigue can occur at any time of day. I’m sometimes sleepy behind the wheel during my morning commutes as I’m still waking up. During a vacation back in college I was so exhausted after midnight while trying to reach my reserved motel room that I had to take a roadside nap so I could continue driving. If you need a sudden nap, do NOT pull off onto the highway shoulder or the top of an off-exit ramp. You may get rear-ended at high speed by a drunk diver who is lane weaving.

Besides night driving, the AAA identifies 2-4pm as a danger time for fatigue. Lunch digestion kicks in and the body gets sleepy. The siesta cultures are on to something here.

States maintain 2,500 rest areas along the interstates. There are no federal rules for their spacing, but the recommended distance is no more than one hour's drive apart. If there is no rest area or it’s closed, look for an exit if you’re feeling tired or need a break. A national directory lists nearly 2,500 privately owned truck stops located at interstate extis. Wal-Mart permits overnight stays by recreational vehicles at most of its 4,000 locations.

Bottom Line

Consumer Reports has these suggestions to avoid fatigue:

• Get adequate sleep before you drive
• Take breaks. If feeling tired, pull off the road and nap for 15-20 minutes.
• Arrange for a travel companion to swap driving duties
• Avoid alcohol and/or medications that can cause drowsiness
• Caffeine may help, but it takes times to activate and when it wears off it can leave you even more tired.
• Drinking water helps as it prevents dehydration that can cause drowsiness. It also requires you to pull over regularly for a bathroom break.