Quarter of drivers admit to nodding off behind the wheel: ICBC

A new Ipsos survey done for ICBC says about a quarter (24%) of B.C. drivers have admitted to momentarily nodding off while driving in the past year, while half (52%) have driven while tired or drowsy.

ICBC is reminding drivers that long drives and hot weather can be a dangerous combination, leading to fatigue and serious crashes.

“It’s alarming that so many drivers on our roads have been tired enough that they’ve nodded off or fallen asleep,” said ICBC Road Safety Manager Kathleen Nadalin.

“Consider how you feel before getting behind the wheel. If you’re tired to begin with, you shouldn’t be driving. If you’re feeling rested, keep in mind that hot summer weather can be draining, especially on long drivers, so plan to take a break every two hours to keep your energy levels up and switch drivers if you can.”

According to the survey, 68 per cent of drivers who reported driving while fatigued cited a lack of sleep the night before as a factor, 53 per cent of respondents pointed to driving too long without a break, and 48 per cent attributed it the time of day while travelling.

“Fatigue slows your reaction time and when driving at highway speeds, even a slight reduction can significantly increase your risk of crashing,” Nadalin said.

“If you notice any signs of fatigue like not remembering the last few minutes of driving, struggling to stay focused or blurred vision, the safest choice is to pull over when safe and take a nap.”

ICBC says warning signs of driver fatigue can include:

• Finding it difficult to stay within your lane,
• Driving speed creeps up or down,
• You don’t recall the previous few minutes of driving
• You struggle to stay focused on the road or are experiencing blurred vision
• Feeling bored, yawning or daydreaming
• Eyes feel heavy or you have difficulty keeping your head up

According to ICBC, 86 people are injured or killed in crashes involving driver fatigue each year in Northern BC.