New York DMV Permit Written TestSafe Driving PracticesMedium
A driver is on a long road trip and begins to feel their eyelids droop and concentration waver. They have already had two cups of coffee. What is the most effective immediate action to combat drowsy driving?
- AIncrease speed to reach the destination sooner.
- BPull over to a safe location and take a short nap.
- COpen the windows and turn up the radio volume.
- DEat a snack and drink another caffeinated beverage.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Pull over to a safe location and take a short nap.
Once drowsiness sets in, the most effective and safest immediate action is to pull over and take a nap. Coffee and other stimulants only provide temporary relief and can mask true fatigue, which can lead to micro-sleeps or falling asleep at the wheel.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Increasing speed while drowsy is extremely dangerous and increases accident risk.
- C. These are temporary fixes that don't address the underlying fatigue.
- D. Caffeine provides only temporary effects and doesn't eliminate fatigue; snacks are largely ineffective.
Combating Drowsy Driving
The most effective way to combat drowsy driving is to pull over and take a short nap; temporary fixes are unreliable.
- Caffeine is a temporary stimulant, not a cure.
- Naps (15-20 mins) are highly effective.
- Drowsiness impairs judgment and reaction time.
Memory trick: Feeling sleepy? Pull over, sleep deep, then drive safe, no creep!