JB MDL Safety Office talks fatigued driving Published Aug. 6, 2014 By Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Safety Office JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Fatigued driving is best explained as driving when tired or sleepy. Driving while fatigued can have serious consequences. First, fatigue impairs your ability to safely perform even basic-driving tasks. It decreases reaction time, affects judgment and can result in erratic-driving behavior. There are several warning signs of fatigue; however, people often don't understand them or choose to ignore them. Some of the warning signs include: feeling sleepy or tired, unawareness of environment or not always knowing where you are, erratic driving similar to drunk driving, inability to get comfortable, tired or burning eyes, rubbing your neck or face to wake up and driving off the shoulder or crossing the center line. Any of these symptoms may result in loss of vehicle control. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates falling asleep while driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 40,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities each year. About half of all traffic fatalities occur at night. When you consider the miles driven at night, that rate is closer to four times as high as for daytime driving. The only reliable way to combat fatigue is with proper rest. Even a short nap can do wonders to help fight fatigue. When planning a trip, always leave extra time in case you become tired and need to stop and rest. When reporting suspected fatigued drivers or drunk drivers,be sure and note the following: location including street, highway, city and county; vehicle description including license plate, vehicle color, make, model and direction of travel; elapsed time from observing vehicle; violation or activity observed and your name, location and call-back number. Ensure to check your specific command for travel guidance.