Driving Drowsy, near disaster.

camperforlife wrote:
Well folks I had an experience last weekend that I hope no one else ever repeats. I fell asleep behind the wheel while towing my TT. It is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done in my 58 years on this earth.

I went camping with my brother and his wife. It was probably the only chance we would have to camp together this summer and since my wife had to work, I took the dog and went alone. I didn’t sleep well either night but didn’t feel overly tired. I was about 20 minutes from returning home and became very drowsy. Normally I would stop, walk around and get a cold bottle of water or soda from the fridge, do something to refresh myself. Well I didn’t. I was after all just minutes from home and surely I could stay awake. I didn’t.

I woke up to over 50 feet of truck and trailer barreling 50+? mph through the side ditch with grass as tall as the hood of the truck slapping on all four sides of me. I could feel the trailer start to come around me. All I could think was I’m going to roll this thing and kill myself and my pup.

Only through the Grace of God I was able to get the trailer in line and return to the highway. Nothing hit, no damage, just tall grass hanging from many points on the truck and trailer where it snagged. The dog never even woke up. This happened on probably the only half mile stretch of the entire trip that would not have ended much differently.

I find this very difficult to write, I am still shaken to the core 2 days later. I could have crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic and killed someone. There are many scenarios that could have ended tragically.

Most of us would never, never consider driving while intoxicated yet we probably all have driven drowsy. Please DON’T DO IT! It is just not worth it.

Glad no body was hurt and when I read something like this it just makes me shake my head more when I reflect back on the number of folks who only want a "place" to get a "couple hours of sleep", etc. I learned a long time ago "proper rest" when towing with loved ones aboard needs to be priority one over saving $$$ or going that extra mile to keep a schedule. Having a sufficient "break" when traveling very long distances is something recognized in the commercial world and hence the "mandatory" rest periods which is something a lot here in my understanding of a lot of threads don't think applies to them. Many times driving on the interstates especially can be a very boring and repetitive chore and on top of that one needs to be at there maximum alterest since when the "stuff" hits the fan it does so VERY QUICKLY.

Larry