My car woke me up from sleeping with a big Thud

This is shocking ! Thanks to Ravi for sharing this. Guess he must be busy fixing things, as it has happened very recently.

But thanks for sharing ... its a lesson to me to not drive when tired. My wife was always skeptical when I talked about travelling from Pune to Mumbai after a busy day @work. Now I think I will rest there overnight and start with a fresh mind the next morning.

+1. One of my company driver also suggested that if you have worked out for a whole day then its better to take a small slep atleast may be 1 hour before seating on driver chair.

Hi All,

 Sorry for the late reply as I was busy in some other things.This car is Hyundai Elantra and this accident happened in Saudi Arabia.I was coming from night shift at 07:30 hrs morning.The distance was 50 km from my plant to Home.I covered 49.5 km.I was just 500 m away from home and would reach home in 1 or 2 min.I entered this small lane which is hardly 100 mts perfectly with full consiousness.But I did not know when I fell sleep and the rest is already known.

  I was alone and I bumped one pick-up which was having steel bumper.That vehicle is stopped for entering a circle.Usually,I will slow down there and wait for these vehicles to clear before I take a U-Turn.That got slightly bent and mine more damaged.After the Insurance tool pictures,I left the car there for towing but that night I could not sleep without my car at home.So at night 1 'o clock I went to the car and drove it to home in this condition.he engine was good and excellent. I have to wait for 2 months for completion of the car repairs due to Eid holidays and all the hyundai workshops are full with accident vehicles.As per the rough estimation,it would cost almost 1.2 lakh rs ( 10000 SAR) for repair.Taxi costs for 2 months is almost 60K rs.It is good that nobody was hurt.This is the first time in last 4 yrs and of 120000 km driving life.

 Full repiars will be done by the insurer but I need to wait for 2 months.I will check tomorrow with them if I can do otherway and get it done faster.

  It is bad that accident happened,I am sad because my car damaged and I am mad( angry) because it is because of me.Finally I am glad that nobody injured.

Because the radiator is broken,I can not use it.Now I have seen many new Hyundai Sonata Cars with  accidents at the workshop.If I pay the money they are ready to repair in 10 days but through insurance,it will take 1 month after 10th Nov.

       In India,it is very good,I can use motor bike during such situation.But here I can not use due to the weather.I needed the car for daily routine and attending the duties.I can rent a car for 20 days which will be paid by the insurer but  remaining days?.So a small accident changed the situations  But:  This is the life and which I need to accept the truth.--Just 2 months and I will get back my car. Then again Zoooom.

thank God you are safe. request u and all other drivers to be alert while driving.

i had experienced this exhaustion. A day before my younger brother's wedding, early morning, was driving with my sister to organise for some flowers for the wedding.  Had landed very early (daybreak) in Trichy just that day.  Minimum rest during the overnight journey.  I could realise that I am driving in zigzag pattern yet could control with great effort. Eyelids were closing without control. Sis was busy on her phone. She thought I am skillfully driving past vehicles.  Very lucky to arrive safe to drop my Sis at home.  Went inside had a hot sleepy bath. Slept like a log till evening without food hence was absent  from the pre-wedding ceremony of my bro.  Had to digest lots of "gaali". Vowed not to repeat (to drive when exhausted).  Till that day I never agreed with the cause of accidents as "Driver dosed off and rammed into a stationary lorry".  Before driving take atleast lil rest guys when you can, else hire a taxi.  

I guess every occupant is in good state except car. This is wake up call for you and for everybody. Never ever push your body when you are on the wheels. Safe drive and should thank you god, you got away with this and could write your experience, otherwise you never know.

Be safe and responsible once you are behind the stearing

Usually, after having a heavy meal too we feel drowsy. At least a short nap will bring us out of this drowsiness. A face-wash with cold water will mae us fresher. But one thing that CANT be avoided is the drowsiness that exist when we are sleep deprived. Nothing can help in this situation and its best any person does not drive in this state, no matter how much experience they have.

@Sanklap,

Absoltely true. At least hot coffee/tea after meal also helpson twocounts, it makes stopover little long say 10 minutes and Caffeine will help in remaining alert in case of routing highway drivers during day time.

You have pointed rightly; no substitute for good nights rest or sound sleep. This helps.

Daer All,

  Thanks for all your support and concerns.I got my car back on 07th Dec and the damaged parts were fully replaced by the Insurance company in the Hyundai Workshop.The total expenditure was 11700 Saudi Riyals which equals 158000 INR for the car out of which I paid 6500 INR as minimum payment.Battery was replaced by me as it was not covered.The expenditure for rent car was 60500 INR for all these days ( which by taking the car on monthly rent) out of which I will be reimbursed 27000 INR.

   This all because of 5 sec sleep.So I would suggest that take enough rest as far as possible (shift employees may not).Avoid taking onions in the night or curries which use too much onions as they cause sleepy ( I believe that was the reason for my accident).Wishing you all happy and safe driving.

Bye--pvrk