Drowsy driving, fatigue and emotions

Key points

1. After about 18 hours awake, driving skills are comparable to someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

   Source: PDF page 33

   “After being awake for 18 hours (time varies), driving skills are comparable to someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 33

2. Driving drowsy decreases your reaction time and increases your crash risk.

   Source: PDF page 33

   “Driving drowsy can decrease your reaction time and increase your crash risk.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 33

3. If you are drowsy, don't drive; pull over to a safe area and nap, since as little as 10 to 20 minutes of sleep can make a big difference.

   Source: PDF page 33

   “If you are drowsy, don't drive. Pull over to a safe area as soon as you can and take a short nap. As little as 10-20 minutes of sleep can make a big difference.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 33

4. Fatigue from lack of sleep or driving too long dulls your mind and slows your reaction time.

   Source: PDF page 75

   “Fatigue may be caused by lack of sleep or driving too long. Being tired dulls your mind and slows your reaction time.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 75

5. On a long trip, take a 10 minute rest break at least every 2 hours.

   Source: PDF page 75

   “If you are on a long trip, take a 10-minute rest break at least every two (2) hours.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 75

6. If another licensed driver is with you, change drivers as soon as one becomes tired.

   Source: PDF page 75

   “If there are other licensed drivers in the vehicle, change drivers as soon as one driver becomes tired.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 75

7. If you relax, lean back and let your attention wander, your vehicle may also wander.

   Source: PDF page 71

   “If you relax, lean back, release your grip on the wheel, and allow your attention to wander, your vehicle may also wander.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 71

8. Control anger, worry or fear and gain self control before driving.

   Source: PDF page 75

   “Sometimes you may experience emotional states of anger, worry, or fear. You should attempt to control these emotions and gain self control before driving.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 75

Numbers to know

3 questions from the West Virginia practice test

1. 1. What warning does the handbook give about driving while drowsy?

   1. It can decrease reaction time and increase crash risk
   2. It makes braking distance shorter
   3. It improves concentration on long trips
   4. It affects only passengers, not drivers
   Show answer

   It can decrease reaction time and increase crash risk. The West Virginia handbook warns that driving drowsy can decrease your reaction time and increase your crash risk, and that you often cannot react in time to apply brakes or steer away from a potential crash. Drowsiness does not shorten braking distance, improve concentration, or affect only passengers. Signs include yawning, heavy eyelids, and drifting out of the travel lane. The handbook says the best way to reduce drowsiness is more sleep, and a drowsy driver should pull over to a safe area and take a short nap.

2. 2. On a long trip, how often does the West Virginia handbook say to take a 10-minute rest break?

   1. At least every six hours
   2. At least every two hours
   3. Only when you stop for fuel
   4. Once a day
   Show answer

   At least every two hours. Fatigue may be caused by lack of sleep or driving too long, and being tired dulls your mind and slows your reaction time. The West Virginia handbook says that on a long trip you should take a 10-minute rest break at least every two hours. The break should be spent outside the vehicle, for example walking around or getting a drink. If you are alone and become tired, pull off the road and rest. If other licensed drivers are in the vehicle, change drivers as soon as one driver becomes tired.

3. 3. According to the West Virginia handbook, what happens when a driver relaxes, leans back, and lets attention wander?

   1. Fuel economy improves
   2. The vehicle may also wander
   3. Reaction time improves
   4. Nothing, as long as speed is steady
   Show answer

   The vehicle may also wander. The handbook's inattention section says a good driver sits up straight, keeps a firm grip on the steering wheel, knows where they are, and pays attention to developing traffic problems. If you relax, lean back, release your grip on the wheel and allow your attention to wander, your vehicle may also wander. Posture and grip are part of attention, and steady speed does not protect a drifting vehicle.

Source: the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Chapter VIII: Defensive Driving. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.