What is a crucial step to take when feeling fatigued while driving?

Taking frequent breaks is a vital step when feeling fatigued while driving because it allows you to rest and recharge your mind and body. Fatigue can significantly impair your ability to concentrate, react promptly, and make sound decisions, which increases the risk of accidents. By stopping for a break, you give yourself a chance to stretch, hydrate, and refresh your mind, which can help maintain alertness for the rest of your journey.

The other options do not effectively address the issue of fatigue. For instance, driving with the windows down may provide a slight increase in air circulation but is unlikely to adequately combat the overall fatigue that affects judgment and reaction times. Increasing your speed is dangerous and can worsen your risk of an accident, as it reduces the time you have to react to obstacles or changing conditions on the road. Lastly, while drinking caffeinated beverages might offer a temporary boost in alertness, it cannot replace the restorative benefits of actual rest and may lead to a crash in energy later on. Prioritizing regular breaks is the most effective method for combating driver fatigue.