A 3-minute lesson from the Vermont course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Alcohol isn't the only way to be impaired. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines, illegal drugs and plain tiredness can all make you drive as badly as a drunk driver. Only rest or time fixes these.
Know the rule
Drugs, even prescription and over-the-counter drugs, can seriously affect your ability to drive safely.
Driving after taking other drugs or narcotics can be just as deadly as alcohol, and even more so for some people. Drugs may make you sleepy and keep you from thinking or acting properly.
Drowsy drivers can drive so poorly they may appear to be drunk. Falling asleep can mean a head-on crash with another vehicle, a tree or a roadside object.
Most at risk: people driving without enough sleep, often young people, shift workers, people who work very long hours, and people with a sleep disorder (known or not).
If you get drowsy, find a safe place to pull over and stop. Opening a window or turning up the radio won't keep you awake. Searching for ways to stay awake is a sure sign you need to rest.
After a night shift, you notice you can't remember the last few miles and you're drifting toward the center line. Turning up the music won't fix it. Pull off at the next safe spot and rest before continuing.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Which of these is listed as a sign of drowsy driving?
Driving faster than usual
Checking mirrors more often
Braking earlier than usual
Drifting out of your travel lane
Answer: Drifting out of your travel lane
Drifting out of the travel lane is listed as a sign of drowsy driving.