How to Identify Fatigued Driving?

[VanMila]

Methods to identify fatigued driving: Continuous driving of a motor vehicle for more than 4 hours without stopping for rest or stopping for less than 20 minutes is considered fatigued driving, which is determined through the driving recorders installed in passenger vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and semi-trailer tractors used for highway operations. Driving fatigue refers to the physiological and psychological dysfunction that occurs after prolonged continuous driving, objectively manifesting as a decline in driving skills. Drivers with poor or insufficient sleep quality and those who drive for extended periods are prone to fatigue. Driving fatigue affects various aspects such as the driver's attention, sensation, perception, thinking, judgment, willpower, decision-making, and movement.

[DelJuliana]

With my twenty years of experience in long-haul trucking, I've learned to identify three critical signs of drowsy driving. First, when you can't hold the steering wheel steady and start drifting out of your lane, that's when your eyelids begin to feel heavy. Second, when your reaction time slows noticeably—like taking two seconds to brake after seeing the car ahead's brake lights. The most dangerous sign is hallucinations, like mistaking streetlights for pedestrians. Once, during an early morning drive, I nearly swerved thinking a shadow from the median barrier was a rabbit. Nowadays, if I've been driving over three hours and even menthol oil can't keep me awake, I make it a rule to pull into a rest area for a cold shower. Installing a fatigue detection system is even safer—its steering wheel vibration alert has saved me five times already.

[VonLaila]

The in-car DMS (Driver Monitoring System) is highly practical nowadays. I rely on it when driving my new electric car—the infrared camera behind the steering wheel captures blink frequency. Once after working overtime, the system suddenly alerted me about abnormal pupil changes. Upon reviewing the footage, I indeed had my eyes closed for two seconds while passing through a tunnel, and the system immediately flashed a red light and sounded an alarm. More advanced versions can even integrate lane-keeping data, as frequent minor steering adjustments are also signs of fatigue. This technology is more reliable than subjective feelings, and I recommend keeping it enabled for long trips.

[MaciRose]

Traffic police primarily check for fatigued driving based on two technical indicators. First, the driving trajectory—if highway surveillance captures a snake-like route, you're almost certainly caught. Second, the time calculated through toll booths—for example, driving 300 kilometers in six hours with an average speed of 50 km/h is clearly unreasonable. When pulled over, if your eyes are bloodshot, you answer incoherently, and you're swerving despite zero alcohol levels, your license will be deducted the full 12 points. A relative of mine was penalized this way, and now he must switch drivers every two hours.

[VanCharlotte]

When taking long trips with kids, learn to observe the state of fellow passengers. If the co-pilot yawns three times in half an hour, be alert; if you notice the child has gone quiet in the rearview mirror, the driver may also start feeling drowsy. Once, my mom suddenly asked why I wasn’t overtaking a slow-moving car, and I realized I had lost focus. Later, I concluded: longer intervals between switching songs, turning the AC colder and colder, and slower responses in conversation are all signs of brain hypoxia. At this point, chewing sour plums is more effective than drinking coffee.

[DelHector]

Analyzing fleet management data with the BeiDou system is quite fascinating. Last week, while reviewing reports for a logistics company, I discovered three telltale signs of fatigued drivers: erratic throttle inputs (varying between deep and shallow) lasting over five minutes, unexplained speed drops of 10% on steady-speed sections, and earlier but sharper braking. This algorithm provides early warnings, proving more reliable than drivers insisting 'I'm not tired.' For those frequently on long-haul routes, installing a simple OBD box is advisable—when similar data patterns emerge, it's time to switch drivers or take a nap. A salted plum soaked in service area coffee works wonders for staying alert.