How long should you rest after driving continuously for 4 hours?
3 Answers
For safe driving, it is essential to avoid fatigue driving. After driving for 4 hours, you should rest for 20 minutes. Hazards of fatigue driving: If you drive continuously for 4 hours without changing drivers and only switching cards without taking a break, this behavior is considered fatigue driving. Such behavior is highly prone to traffic accidents because driving requires a high level of concentration. Fatigue driving can lead to slow reactions, drowsiness, weakness in limbs, and an inability to promptly detect road conditions and take appropriate driving control measures. Determination of non-fatigue driving: If there are two drivers in the vehicle's cabin, and they switch cards and change drivers for more than 20 minutes within the 4-hour driving period, this does not constitute fatigue driving.
As someone who frequently drives long distances, I believe it's important to take a break after four hours of continuous driving. Usually, I choose to rest for at least 20 minutes or more, as this helps the body recover energy and prevents fatigued driving. When fatigued, reactions slow down, vision becomes blurry, increasing the risk of accidents. I walk around at rest stops, stretch my legs, drink some water, or have a snack. Some places mandate a 20-minute rest as a requirement, but I adjust based on how I feel—if I'm particularly tired, I stop for longer. Safety comes first, especially when traveling with family, so I pay more attention to the frequency of breaks and avoid risking driving just to save time.
After driving for four hours, I definitely need to take a break. My personal habit is to rest for 15 to 20 minutes, which feels about right. Usually, I just park at a service area, take a short walk, or grab a drink to refresh my mind. Don't underestimate this break—it significantly reduces the chance of drowsy driving. A friend once told me that fatigue driving increases the risk of mistakes, so even when I'm in a hurry, I never push myself. In hot weather, I'll sit a bit longer, hydrate, and avoid heatstroke. For safety's sake, it's best not to rest for less than 20 minutes.
