80% of Latvian drivers do not stop to rest when feeling tired
A recent study reveals that 80% of Latvian drivers continue driving when tired, resorting to short-term fixes like coffee or loud music, rather than stopping to rest, which experts warn can be as dangerous as drunk driving.
According to a study conducted by the insurance technology company Balcia, 80% of Latvian drivers do not stop to rest when they feel tired behind the wheel. Instead, they try various methods to combat sleepiness: 43% drink coffee or energy drinks, 37% get out of the car to move around, and 31% open the window or turn on the fan. Only less than 20% choose the safest option – stopping to rest.
The survey also shows that over 60% of drivers have driven while very sleepy at least once in the past year. Experts warn that fatigue while driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, yet the risk is often underestimated. Edgars Korzāns, head of Balcia's Latvian business, notes that unlike alcohol, drivers often overestimate their abilities when tired and continue driving until it is too late.
Content creator Roberts Vītols (Robyworks) shares his personal experience of nearly crashing due to fatigue several times. He recommends stopping, taking a short break, visiting a gas station, and having coffee with a snack. However, he admits that coffee and energy drinks do not directly help – the key is the activity itself, which forces movement.
Sleep specialist Marta Celmiņa from the Latvian Sleep Medicine Society explains that caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, providing a temporary boost, but fatigue does not disappear and may return even stronger after the caffeine wears off. She emphasizes that the most effective method is to stop and take a 15-20 minute rest or nap. She also warns against increasing speed when tired, as it significantly raises the risk of accidents.
