How is fatigued driving determined?
3 Answers
Fatigued driving is defined as operating a motor vehicle continuously for more than 4 hours without stopping to rest or with a rest period of less than 20 minutes. Here are some relevant details: 1. Driver fatigue refers to the physiological and psychological dysfunction that occurs after prolonged continuous driving, objectively manifesting as a decline in driving skills. 2. To alleviate fatigued driving, one should decisively choose an appropriate time to rest, and this timing must be selected before drowsiness sets in. When driving while drowsy, the driver may not be aware of when they might fall asleep. 3. A good driving habit is to take a break every two hours to ensure full concentration once behind the wheel.
Fatigue driving is regulated in traffic laws, where driving continuously for more than 4 hours without rest is considered fatigue driving. Traffic police check driving recorder data or ask about your departure time to determine this. I was checked during a long-distance trip before, and they also observe your condition, such as red eyes or slow speech. If you admit to being tired or are found to have driven without rest for a long time, you will be directly penalized with points and fines. The most obvious signs are frequent yawning or driving in an S-shaped pattern, which will lead them to conclude you are fatigued. The legal penalties are strict because it easily causes accidents, endangering not only yourself but others. Remember, never push yourself too hard—rest when you need to.
When your eyelids start to feel heavy after long hours of driving, that's a fatigue warning! As someone who frequently drives on highways, I've learned from experience that if you notice slower reactions, constant eye-rubbing, or frequent yawning, you're essentially engaging in fatigued driving. Once, after driving non-stop for three hours, I couldn't even read roadside signs clearly and nearly missed an exit. At that point, my brain felt like it was shrouded in fog, and even the simplest braking action took half a second longer than usual. These bodily signals are more accurate than an alarm clock—never ignore them. If you wait until your car starts drifting out of its lane to realize, it's already too late. I’ve set a rule for myself now: I must pull into a rest area every two hours, drink some water, walk around a bit, and then continue driving. After all, safety should always come first.
