How does fatigue impact driving performance?

Fatigue significantly impacts driving performance by reducing key cognitive and physical abilities necessary for safe driving. With fatigue, a driver's reaction times are slower, which can critically delay their response to sudden hazards or changes in traffic conditions. Moreover, awareness is diminished; fatigued drivers may fail to notice important signs, signals, or other vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents. Decision-making abilities also decline, impairing the driver’s judgment when faced with challenging driving scenarios, leading to poor choices or inaction when quick responses are needed.

The other options suggest inaccurate effects of fatigue: enhancing decision-making or improving focus does not accurately reflect the influence of fatigue on a driver’s capabilities. The idea that fatigue has no impact overlooks well-documented evidence of the risks associated with driving while fatigued, including increased crash rates and impaired performance. Understanding these destructive effects of fatigue is vital for ensuring safety while driving, particularly in emergency response situations where quick and accurate decision-making is critical.