Attention and fatigue
When tired, you stare at one point longer, judge closing speed less accurately, and respond to hazards later.
Early signs
- your gaze stays on one object longer than usual
- you notice less movement on either side
- you forget to check your mirrors
- you respond to hazards later
What changes in your riding
- your judgment of closing speed becomes less accurate
- traffic irritates you more often
- you ride by habit and think less about what could happen next
- you look far ahead less often
Small mistakes become more frequent
Small mistakes can appear before you feel clearly sleepy: a missed turn signal, a late mirror check, an unnecessary steering correction, or a poor recollection of the last few kilometers.
Check yourself
If you have to remind yourself to check the mirrors, look far ahead, and watch the road surface, that is already a noticeable sign of fatigue.
Sources · 1
- How Sleep Affects Your Health
How do I know if I’m not getting enough sleep?
Used for: Signs of insufficient sleep and impaired attention.
Open source
Reactions become slower
With fatigue, your gaze moves more slowly between areas, and it takes longer to understand the situation. You may notice a hazard in time but brake or move aside later than usual.
You cover more distance during your reaction time
When assessing a situation takes longer, you cover more distance at the same speed before you begin braking or going around an obstacle. In calm traffic, this is easy to miss.
You start looking too close
When tired, you look more often at the nearest car or the area directly in front of you. You notice side-road entrances, bends, and changes farther ahead in traffic later.
Irritation is a warning too
Being very angry, upset, or wound up can narrow your attention. If you start riding more abruptly than usual or feel you have something to prove to someone, stop and calm down. If the feeling persists, it is better to postpone the ride.
Sources · 1
- How Sleep Affects Your Health
How do I know if I’m not getting enough sleep?
Used for: Effects of insufficient sleep on reaction, memory, and decision-making.
Open source
Slow down and simplify the ride
- slow down
- increase your following distance
- avoid unnecessary lane changes
- leave more space around you
Check whether your attention has returned
Look far ahead, check your mirrors, and watch the road surface. If your gaze soon gets stuck on one point again, your attention has not recovered yet.
Choose somewhere to take a break
Choose a place to rest in advance: a parking area, gas station, or another suitable stop along your route. That avoids having to search at the last moment when you already feel the need to stop.
A short stop may not be enough
If your attention has not recovered after a short stop, do not try to keep riding at your previous pace. Ride at a noticeably calmer pace or end the ride.
Sources · 1
- Motorcycle Operator Manual
Fatigue, p. 43
Used for: Rest and sleep when you are very fatigued.
Open source