If you’re driving to work on a Monday morning or heading out on a cross-country road trip, you may experience fatigue behind the wheel. Driving while drowsy may not seem as dangerous as drinking while driving or texting, it’s still a serious cause of accidents and fatalities on the road. In fact, studies have shown that lack of sleep was the cause of over 5000 fatal car crashes in the US in 2005 alone. Here is some more information about driving while drowsy from the team of professional instructors at Ambitious Drivers.

Drowsy Versus Impaired Driving

While there are a number of studies and statistics about the dangers of driving while impaired, the effects of driving while drowsy are not as well known to the general public. One study found that drivers who got behind the wheel with a limited amount of sleep exhibited behaviour on the road that was similar to that of drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. For example, a driver who hasn’t slept properly in the past 24 hours will exhibit the same erratic behaviour on the road as someone with a blood alcohol level of .1 percent, making lack of sleep as dangerous as drinking and driving in some instances.

Who Is At-Risk of Driving While Drowsy?

While everyone is at risk of driving while overtired, there are certain groups that are more likely to be sleep deprived and therefore more vulnerable to getting into an accident on the road including:

• Parents of small infants
• Nightshift workers
• Truck drivers
• Emergency and relief staff such as EMS workers and nurses
• Those with sleep disorders
• Long-distance drivers

If you’re prone to feeling tired behind the wheel, make sure you take extra precautions to keep yourself awake and alert. Drink coffee if you need to, play music, listen to the radio, or bring along a companion for conversation so you stay stimulated while driving. If you’re going on a longer road trip, plan rest stops along the way and rotate drivers so everyone has the chance to relax. If you notice that your focus is start to slip when you’re on the road, pull over as soon as possible to avoid getting into an accident.

At Ambitious Drivers, we instruct new drivers in the safe skills and techniques needed to keep them protected behind the wheel. For more information about our driving courses and to register today, contact us now at Ambitious Drivers.

Taking a test can be stressful, especially your driving test. It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this situation—most new drivers experience some level of anxiety before taking their driving exam. With the right preparation, your driving test can be a simple and rewarding experience. Here are some tips and tricks for overcoming your anxiety before a deriving exam from the experienced instructors at Ambitious Drivers.

Think of It as Going for a Drive, Not a Test

You may have negative associations with the words “test” or “exam” that can trigger your nerves. Rather than thinking about it as a test, think about it as going for a drive. Your driving instructor wouldn’t let you sign up for your exam if they didn’t have confidence in your driving ability. If you’re nervous about the big day, just imagine you’re going for a practice drive to take some of the pressure off.

Prepare Beforehand

Of course, you should have some degree of experience behind the wheel before taking your driving test. A certified driving instructor won’t let you take the test until they think you’re ready, so you can rest assured that you’ll be prepared for the big day.

There are some ways you can prepare for your driving test to make sure you’re in the best state possible to go for a drive. This preparation include getting a good night’s sleep the night before so you can be as alert as possible. Book your test at a time that works best for you—if you’re a morning person, try to book your test earlier in the day. Don’t book any other plans for a few hours before and after your test to avoid rushing. By strategically planning your driving test, you can reduce your nerves so you can perform to do the best of your abilities.

Before you book your driving test, you have to get as comfortable as possible behind the wheel. Learn and develop the skills you need to be a safe and confident driver with in-depth courses from Ambitious Drivers. For more information about our driving courses and to register now, contact us today at Ambitious Drivers.