How many minutes must be taken for rest to avoid fatigued driving?
3 Answers
Drivers must take a break of at least 20 minutes when fatigued during long-distance driving. Fatigued driving significantly increases the risk of traffic accidents, as it occurs when prolonged continuous driving leads to physiological and psychological dysfunction, resulting in objectively diminished driving skills. Driver fatigue affects various aspects such as attention, sensation, perception, thinking, judgment, willpower, decision-making, and movement. The primary causes of driver fatigue are as follows: Sleep quality: Going to bed too late or getting insufficient sleep; poor sleep quality; noisy sleep environment that disrupts rest; Vehicle environment: Poor air quality and inadequate ventilation; excessively high or low temperatures; severe noise and vibration; improperly adjusted seats; Driving experience: Low skill level and unfamiliarity with operations; short driving duration and lack of experience; weak safety awareness. According to the Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law, if a driver operates a motor vehicle continuously for over 4 hours without stopping to rest or takes a break of less than 20 minutes, it constitutes fatigued driving. The Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates a fine of 150-200 yuan for fatigued driving. For commercial passenger vehicles driven continuously for over 4 hours without stopping or with a rest period of less than 20 minutes, a fine of 20-200 yuan will be imposed, along with 6 penalty points.
I've seen many long-distance drivers fall victim to fatigue driving—it's no joke. According to regulations, drivers must take a break after driving for more than 4 hours, and the rest period must be no less than 20 minutes—remember, this is a mandatory requirement. Once at a highway service area, I saw a driver timing his break. He said those 20 minutes aren't just for sitting around idly; you should get out of the car, take a walk, splash some cold water on your face, and ideally close your eyes for a short nap. Don't underestimate those brief 20 minutes—they're enough to relax your tense nerves. Nowadays, some new cars come with considerate driver monitoring systems that remind you when it's time to take a break.
Last week when my traffic police friend was discussing accident cases, he particularly emphasized the criteria for determining fatigued driving. The regulations clearly state: continuous driving of a motor vehicle for over 4 hours requires a rest of at least 20 minutes. The key lies in the word 'continuous'—if you drive for three hours and fifty minutes then stop to refuel, it doesn't count as a break. It's recommended to do something to activate your body during these twenty minutes, like stretching your limbs or drinking functional beverages, but never just sleep in the car with your head down. I tested this once during a self-drive trip—walking around the service area for ten minutes and then resting my eyes for another ten minutes significantly improved my field of vision clarity when I got back on the road.
