To avoid driver fatigue, how often should you stop to rest?

To effectively combat driver fatigue, the guideline to stop every two hours for a rest is based on research indicating that taking regular breaks can significantly enhance a driver's alertness and overall safety during long trips. A break every two hours gives drivers the opportunity to stretch, hydrate, and refresh their focus, thus decreasing the likelihood of fatigue-related accidents.

Driving continuously for extended periods can lead to diminished performance due to factors such as mental exhaustion and reduced reaction times. This practice also aligns with recommendations from traffic safety organizations, which emphasize that even if you don't feel tired, regular breaks can help maintain optimal concentration levels and keep driving skills sharp.

Stopping every hour or every 30 minutes may seem beneficial for some, but this frequency could be unnecessary for many drivers and may potentially add excessive time to a journey. Waiting until you feel tired could be too late, as fatigue can impair driving abilities before the driver is consciously aware of it. Therefore, the optimal approach to preventing driver fatigue is to take a planned rest every two hours.