Rob King & Associates, Trail Lawyers | June 11, 2025 | Car Accidents
It’s happened to almost every driver at some point. You’re driving a stretch of road when you realize you missed your exit—or that 10 minutes have passed without any memory of the drive. You don’t remember stopping at the intersection or if you followed the speed limit.
“White line fever” can happen when you’re driving an extremely familiar route or on a desolate highway at night. The monotony of being on the road can cause drivers to enter a trance-like state known as highway hypnosis.
What Is Highway Hypnosis?
Highway hypnosis is difficult to define, but many drivers know the feeling when it happens. It’s a feeling of suddenly realizing you’ve been on autopilot. Your thoughts may be wandering, or you may feel as though you’re sleeping and awake at the same time.
Highway hypnosis may last only a few minutes, but that’s all it takes to cause a serious car accident. Drivers who feel hypnotized can drift into the next lane or fail to stop at a stoplight.
Highway hypnosis isn’t new, and it isn’t a rare event. The first known scientific study on the topic, Sleeping with the Eyes Open, was published almost 100 years ago.
How Do You Avoid Highway Hypnosis?
The first step in avoiding highway hypnosis is understanding why it happens.
Researchers point to three main factors that can cause white line fever, including:
- Monotonous roads
- Fatigue
- Brain inattention
Experiencing two or all three factors at the same time increases the risk. Fortunately, there are several things drivers can do to prevent highway hypnosis and the car and truck accidents it may cause.
Try a New Route
Knowing a road “like the back of your hand” may not be a good thing when it comes to safety. Try a new way to work or school once in a while. New roads force you to pay better attention and avoid going into a trance.
Avoid Empty Roads
Avoid traveling on empty roads when possible, especially if you’re feeling tired. Being one of the few cars on the road makes it easier for your mind to wander and give in to white line fever.
Get Adequate Sleep
Starting a road trip tired is never a good idea. Get enough sleep before hitting the road. If you take any type of medications, including over-the-counter medications, make sure to check the labels for sleepiness warnings.
Eating light, drinking coffee, and staying hydrated will also help you feel more alert and reduce the chances of zoning out while you’re behind the wheel.
Listen to Energetic Music
Listening to upbeat music might help. Music that’s too relaxing or too familiar could lull you into a trance. Make a playlist of songs that make you want to move and sing, so you don’t have to depend on the radio.
Take a Break
It doesn’t matter if your commute is 20 minutes or two hours. If you’re vulnerable to highway hypnosis, take a break. This is a great excuse to grab a drink or go to the bathroom, but you can also pull into a parking lot and take a five-minute walk.
Moving for even a few minutes can activate your brain and keep you alert.
Travel with a Companion
Driving with a friend or family member can help keep you alert and engaged. Conversations, shared navigation, and rest rotations on long trips reduce the risk of zoning out behind the wheel.
White line fever is a dangerous hazard. If you drive the same route several times a day or take long road trips, do everything you can to avoid highway hypnosis. Even a few seconds of inattention could lead to catastrophic injuries that change someone’s life forever.
Contact the Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers at Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Indianapolis, Indiana, Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers is ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Marion County and its surrounding areas.
Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers – Indianapolis Office
22 E Washington St #310
Indianapolis, IN 46204
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