What is a sign of Highway Hypnosis?

Highway hypnosis is a trance-like state that can occur during long periods of driving, particularly on monotonous, straight roads or highways. A key indicator of this condition is that the driver can't remember parts of the drive. This phenomenon happens because the brain enters an almost automatic mode of operation, engaged in driving without active cognitive involvement. While the driver is technically still operating the vehicle, they may find that they have little to no recollection of stretches of their journey, often realizing they have arrived at their destination without being conscious of significant portions of the drive.

The other options represent symptoms that may be associated with fatigue or distraction but do not specifically capture the essence of highway hypnosis. For example, feeling fatigued often contributes to overall unsafe driving conditions but is not a definitive sign of highway hypnosis itself. Awareness of distractions is important but does not characterize the memory loss linked to highway hypnosis. Driving below the speed limit can be a consequence of various factors, including carefulness or uncertainty, but it does not reflect the cognitive detachment characteristic of highway hypnosis.