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, pull over and nap; as little as 10 to 20 minutes of sleep helps.

   Source: PDF page 33

   “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

   “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. According to the West Virginia handbook, what does driving drowsy do to a driver?

   1. It decreases reaction time and increases crash risk
   2. It only affects night driving
   3. It improves focus for short trips
   4. It has no effect if the radio is on
   Show answer

   It decreases reaction time and increases crash risk. After enough hours awake, driving skills become comparable to those of someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving drowsy decreases your reaction time and increases your crash risk; you often cannot react in time to apply the brakes or steer away from a potential crash, and drowsy driving crashes can be very serious. The effect is not limited to night, and a radio or short trip does not restore alertness. Stop and rest.

2. 2. What effect can fatigue have on a driver's ability to operate a vehicle?

   1. It improves concentration after several hours of driving
   2. It dulls the mind and slows reaction time
   3. It affects only passengers, not the person driving
   4. It can be corrected reliably by opening a window
   Show answer

   It dulls the mind and slows reaction time. The handbook identifies lack of sleep and driving too long as causes of fatigue, and explains that being tired dulls the mind and slows reaction time. A driver who notices fatigue should pull off and rest when alone, or change drivers when another licensed driver is available. Opening a window, turning on the radio, or singing may reduce monotony, but those actions are not reliable substitutes for rest. Long trips call for a ten-minute break outside the vehicle at least every two hours.

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.