Driving Drowsy, near disaster.

[camperforlife]

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.

[Crowe]

What about the people who DO die in accidents? Why didn't GOD protect them?

When it's your time, it's your time. You can't change it.

[Redterpos3]

I also thank you for sharing your experience with all of us! Always good to be reminded, I've learned a lot. You may save a life from your sharing!!

[lizzie]

Very good question captnjack, but maybe best discussed on another forum?

[captnjack]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

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.

Sometimes GOD lets things happen just to get your attention.....

I know I have been 'reality checked' a few times.

Hand of GOD. Plain and simple.

WE do stupid things, GOD protects us.......hopefully lesson learned :B

What about the people who DO die in accidents? Why didn't GOD protect them?

[lizzie]

Please run don't walk to see your physician and tell him/her this story. Perhaps you were just overtired but you may have a medical condition that cuts off oxygen to your brain. A co-worker of mine had an accident when she fell asleep on the way to work one morning. She had a blockage in an artery in her neck. Thank you for sharing. That took guts. lizzie

[real4u2c]

Just recently returned home to Virginia from Minnesota and watched in horror as a truck towing a 5th wheel, assuming the driver fell asleep, in the right lane about 100 yards ahead of me, swerve off the road and glanced a guard rail. It was an instant reminder as I was on my 12th hour pulling our 33ft TT. That driver immediately regained vehicle composure. I did get to speak to him at the next service centre, and I will tell you, I don't know who it shook up more, his daughter or him. But they were ok,. I drove one more hour, and it was 8 hours layover for us at a truck stop.

[Kennedy64]

Wow. Glad your ok!
Happened to me when I was 20. We were moving my friend home from VA. My brother was riding shotgun as was Murphy (what can go wrong, will go wrong). After about 15 hrs on the road and 2 hrs of yelling at my bro to wake up and quit snoring, I woke up to my friends brother's (who were driving behind me) blasting the horn as I was headed into a cement barricaded. Thank God I didn't hit it but it certainly gives a person a wake up call (no pun intended)

[eheading]

I understand totally how you feel. A number of years ago I dozed off traveling through Oklahoma in our 41' motorhome towing a car. Fortunately I hit the rumble strips along the shoulder of the road, snapped awake and pulled the rig back on the highway missing a bridge abutment. I will NEVER complain about those rumble strips again!! I have since learned that peanuts will help to perk me up when I get drowsy (I can't drink caffeinated drinks any longer).

Sure glad things turned out okay for you and your dog both!

Ed Headington

[gbopp]

Thanks for sharing your experience. By posting this, you may save someone's life.

[2gypsies1]

What a wonderful reminder for all of us! So glad you stayed safe.

We both drove the RV and even though we didn't drive long hours, sometimes we just needed a break so the other took over driving. I'd highly recommend that for couples, both should learn to drive - for this reason and any medical issue, even if it's only a bad headache.

Continued safe travels to you!

[old_guy]

1. I am glad you are OK. 2. glad you had the fortitude to write this warning for us. hard to admit we are not perfect sometimes. I have never fallen asleep at the wheel and wondered sometimes how I managed to stay awake and not kill myself or someone else for that matter.

[nineoaks2004]

Thanks for sharing this story. I reminds all of us how fast things can change. If we feel drowsy, stop either nap, walk around or do something until we are alert or a disaster can or may occur.

[murphysranch]

Your angel on your shoulder was in fine form that day.

[hawkeye-08]

Seems we all need reminding from time to time. I also try and remember that as the driver for the trip home, I need to plan accordingly and make sure I am rested.

[mlts22]

Always something to be aware of.