Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General A word to the unwary

Sleep... A lot of us discount it until we're short on it. Many of us drive when we've been running on not enough sleep, or just having been a while since we last slept. I was reminded of why it's not wise to drive when tired. I had been up 22 hours without sleep, and was on the drive home from Daytona. 42 mile drive for me on the interstate. I set the cruise control at 75, (5 over) and was trying to stay focused on a white SHO Taurus ahead of me. About halfway home, I could tell I was just too tired. Kept nodding off and drifting off the roadway. I knew I wasn't going to make it the distance. I cranked up the music, opened a coke, and was just looking for the rest stop I know is on the road. I didn't make it to the rest stop. I dozed off, and awke to find myself entering the median. I was halfway in, just drifting into it. I pulled the wheel back right, and the rear end caught as I was getting back onto the roadway. Rear end started to slide out, and I found myself sliding down the roadway, driver side first, facing the trees on the righthand side of the road. They're a ways off the road, but trees aren't forgiving. I actually said, "Oh no you don't, No going into the trees" to... myself, my car?... Stomped on the brake, and cut the wheel back to the left, delibrately swinging the rear end back around so I was facing the median. I cut the wheel again to prevent a dizzying spin that would have probably flipped even the relatively low and wide Eldorado. Slid with the passenger side leading down the road some more, and the rear end finally took the lead, and I slid to a screeching halt just into the median, facing the oncoming traffic. (Luckily there wasn't any for a mile) I sat for a second in my spun out car, and regathered my wits, waited for the inital adrenaline rush to wear off. Got out, checked the car over quickly, to see if I had any damage to the car from the spin that I didn't notice, or if a tire had given under the abuse. Everything checked out under my inital check, so I got back into my car, turned it around, and went to the next exit for a slightly more detailed examination of my car. Pulled into a gas station (closed) and made another check of the car. I then got back into the car, and drove the last exit home, now wide awake with adrenaline keeping me very awake.

A lesson to everyone, driving tired is sometimes necessary, but if you even begin to feel yourself nodding off, get off the roadways as quickly as possible. Pull into a gas station and either try and wake yourself up with a cup of stale coffee, or just lie the seat back, crack the window, and sleep there. Don't push it or hope for the best. Use your brain, a spinout or sleeping at the wheel is not safe driving, and could have easily been fatal for me last night. Don't become a statistic of "Driver falls asleep at wheel, and dies in crash" Get enough sleep.

Yes, I know, a word of caution from me... Feel free to laugh, but drive smart, even if aggressive.

man thank God you're alright, that could've been a disaster. also glad to see there's no major damage to your car that you could tell. I know how it is driving tired, last year I drove from Detroit to Miami 21 hours straight with no sleep. that was hell, pure hell and I was seriously smacking myself in the face to stay awake. not fun.

Forgot to mention, ran a more through inspection this morning, after a night's sleep. Car's fine, though the tires have some flat spots along the edges and sides. Show's the strain they got put under.

Just like when I would drive home from St. Pete at 11pm. heh. I just rolled the windows down and let the cold air hit my face. stop and walk around, get my blood flowing. worked like a champ

Glad you and your car are ok,,,

I used to routinely drive from Michigan to NJ, Michigan to Atlanta, Atlanta to Miami quite often...I finally decided that no matter what, I followed certain strategies to help me not getting sleepy,,,,

1. No big Calorie meals that sap your energy and make you wanna nap.
2. pack coffe in thermos.
3. crackers and cheese...keeps you busy snacking, and you digest the small snacks quite easily,,
4. I listen to talk radio when it gets tough,,music even when loud, can lull you further.
5. I slide the seat closer to the wheel, and keep the back fairly upright,,,,I know of cases of fighter pilots and tank drivers falling asleep on their inclined seats...
6. could be silly, but that is why I like the JVC head unit I have, because the bright colours help me rest the eyes once in awhile.

heh, sounds like what happened to my father and I like 2 months ago. We were driving to springfield Illinois, and he dozed while driving right into the side of a semi when we were going like 95mph. when we hit he woke up, and we were thrown into median. 20 more feet, and we would have went off a bridge. talk about scary. I know what u mean man, and i dont EVER drive when tired n e more, i have someone else do it for me. nice post, and i only posted since i could relate. Oh, and BTW the Acura RL is a VERY built car. i have some pics of it after the wreck if anyone is interested. it took it, i wonder what my tour would have looked like after what happened to the RL.

Yessir. I totalled my '90 300ZX (my old baby) while making a 15 minute drive home one night. No traffic, but even a LARGE stereo system and Ol' Dirty ******* cranked way up didn't even stop me from fallin asleep. Everyone, take note. Please be careful.

Good advice. Isn't it true that the comparable percentage of people killed by drunk drivers is the same as people killed by "dozing drivers"?

damn. glad ur alright man. i'll definately keep this in mind whenever i am overly tired and driving

I drove about 20KM once and have no memory of any of it. I woke up in the oncoming lane. I never drive tired anymore!