Alcohol, Drugs, Fatigue and Driver Fitness
Alcohol and drugs
Any amount of alcohol impairs judgement, reaction time and coordination, and the effects worsen with fatigue. The safest and legally safest choice is not to drink at all before driving. Brunei law sets strict limits and penalties for drink-driving; you can be over the limit the morning after heavy drinking. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause drowsiness - read labels and ask a pharmacist. Illegal drugs and driving are never compatible, and some legal substances impair driving too.
Fatigue
Fatigue is as dangerous as alcohol. Warning signs include yawning, heavy eyes, drifting, missing signs and poor concentration. The only real cure is sleep. Opening a window, turning up music or drinking coffee gives only brief relief. On long journeys, plan a break at least every two hours, share driving, and avoid driving during hours when you would normally be asleep.
Fitness to drive
Do not drive when ill, emotionally distressed, or after surgery or sedation. Eyesight must meet the standard; wear prescribed glasses or contact lenses if required, and keep a spare pair. Report medical conditions that affect driving to the licensing authority as required.
Traps in questions
The classic trap is the "cure" for tiredness: fresh air and loud music are wrong answers; stopping for rest or sleep is right. Another is the morning-after question - time is the only thing that clears alcohol, not coffee or a shower. A third is assuming a small drink is safe because you feel fine; impairment begins below the level at which you notice it.
Worked example
You feel drowsy on a long drive at 2 a.m. The correct response: pull into a safe rest area, take a short sleep of 15–20 minutes, and if you remain tired, stop for the night. Continuing with the window down is a false fix, because micro-sleeps of a few seconds at highway speed cover a long distance.