Sleepy while driving

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Veronica97

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I drove to another town this morning (30 minutes away) to go to Confession and Mass. On the way home, I did my penance and prayed the rosary with a cd. But I hadn’t had any coffee yet, and I started getting sleepy on the drive home. I kept having to pinch myself and move around so as to stay awake. There really wasn’t any place to stop to get coffee on the highway. I thought about pulling over to take a nap, but I didn’t have a cell phone and thought my husband might get worried about me. Also I just wanted to get home. Now I am worried that I may have mortally sinned by putting myself and others in danger. Should I go to Confession again?
 
I don’t think you committed a mortal sin by driving while sleepy but I just want to say that you should be careful doing that. I had an accident last year by driving while sleepy. I went off the road and hit an electrical box in a field. Thankfully I was not injured and neither was anybody else.
 
Veronica; I am a truck driver and have a lot of experience regarding driving and drowsiness. There are many reasons why one gets drowsy while driving - probably a lot has to do with sitting and less blood circulating in to our brain and our heart rate slowing down - there is little physical activity involved in driving. I have tried praying the rosary while driving my tractor trailer and sometimes I can do it if I’m fresh, but I can tell when I’m at risk for getting drowsy and can’t afford to pray. Drowsiness slows down our reaction time; accidents happen when something unexpected happens and we can’t react quick enough or appropriately. You can roll down your window or turn on the radio. But the best remedy for drowsiness is to find a safe place to pull over and either put your head down and close your eyes for fifteen minutes or get out of the car and walk around. Our company motto is “Safety First”. Don’t take chances.
 
violetandgandal said:
Veronica; I am a truck driver and have a lot of experience regarding driving and drowsiness. There are many reasons why one gets drowsy while driving - probably a lot has to do with sitting and less blood circulating in to our brain and our heart rate slowing down - there is little physical activity involved in driving. I have tried praying the rosary while driving my tractor trailer and sometimes I can do it if I’m fresh, but I can tell when I’m at risk for getting drowsy and can’t afford to pray. Drowsiness slows down our reaction time; accidents happen when something unexpected happens and we can’t react quick enough or appropriately. You can roll down your window or turn on the radio. But the best remedy for drowsiness is to find a safe place to pull over and either put your head down and close your eyes for fifteen minutes or get out of the car and walk around. Our company motto is “Safety First”. Don’t take chances.
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Same thing happened to me last night should I go to confession first
 
Veronica97 said:
I drove to another town this morning (30 minutes away) to go to Confession and Mass. On the way home, I did my penance and prayed the rosary with a cd. But I hadn’t had any coffee yet, and I started getting sleepy on the drive home. I kept having to pinch myself and move around so as to stay awake. There really wasn’t any place to stop to get coffee on the highway. I thought about pulling over to take a nap, but I didn’t have a cell phone and thought my husband might get worried about me. Also I just wanted to get home. Now I am worried that I may have mortally sinned by putting myself and others in danger. Should I go to Confession again?
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drbro78 said:
Same thing happened to me last night should I go to confession first
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Only a priest can tell you whether it was venial or mortal sin.

My impression: you seem not to have full knowledge, or at least that you did not have it at the time, and your intentions did not seem sinful. If you are not conscious of having committed a mortal sin, you should not abstain from receiving the Eucharist.

It is very nice that you noticed this, the Holy Spirit must enjoy dwelling in your heart, and if He is moving you to confess, why not? Confession is not just for when we have committed mortal sin. Confessing venial sins and even imperfections increases our sanctifying grace and makes us grow closer to God.

We are so blessed in having access to this Sacrament…we should really go talk to Jesus as often like we feel the need to do so…He loves it when we do so.
 
Thank you, R_C! I ended up confessing that on the Friday after I posted this question. The priest said he didn’t think it was a mortal sin, but I’m glad I got it off my chest anyway.
 
Thank you rc I appreciate your feedback. I am new to the faith but love everything about it. I want to change Im a sinner but I have my advocate praise be due always for his perfection, majesty and love.
 
About two months ago, I attended a crash scene where a driver had fallen asleep after being pressure to work extra hours on a night shift. Sadly he had collected about 8 meters of fencing (wood) into his car. Worse still he had a deep gash to his head with skull penetration from one of the pieces of fencing. He was slowly deteriorating in front of our eyes and this was frightening to watch. I suspect that this will affect his long-term health because of the significant brain trauma.

All I can say is that if you are feeling really sleepy at the wheel, pull over and have a cat nap or if possible phone a family member to come and collect you. Because it is not worth the risk to you or others.

I am pleased that you have got the worry off your chest. The main concern is will it happen again?

Recent research from France states that getting behind the wheel while one is tired is as dangerous as drink driving.
 
I am glad you made it to confession. Now for my personal opinion. If it is the first time it happened, no it is not a sin. However, now that you are aware, you do have a resonsibility to be carefull in the future. Either have a coffee before you go, or plan ahead or something.

If you continue to take unnessary risk, then yes it will become a sin

CM
 
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