What is a common effect of fatigue on driving ability?

Fatigue has a well-documented impact on driving ability, primarily by diminishing a person's attention span. When a driver is fatigued, their cognitive functions are impaired, which makes it difficult to concentrate on the road and the surrounding environment. As attention wanes, the ability to notice important visual cues or changes in traffic conditions decreases significantly, leading to a heightened risk of accidents.

In contrast to diminished attention span, heightened alertness and improved decision-making are characteristics associated with being well-rested and attentive. Therefore, when fatigue sets in, these positive attributes are negatively affected, and the driver may struggle to respond to sudden changes or make sound judgments on the road. Increased reaction time is also a result of fatigue. As the driver becomes less alert, their ability to respond quickly to stimuli diminishes, leading to slower reaction times in critical driving situations. This underscores the importance of being well-rested before getting behind the wheel.