Understanding and Preventing the Perilous Impact of Drowsy Driving on Road Safety

People are taught early on about the extreme dangers of driving while intoxicated, in fact, one study found that approximately 29% of car accident fatalities were the result of drunk driving in 2018. But there’s another very serious action some drivers are doing behind the wheel that is almost as deadly. It’s called drowsy driving, and if you believe it is rare, think again.

Read Also: Elderly Drivers with ADHD More Likely to be Involved in Vehicular Accidents, Recent Studies Confirm

Driving At Night

Driving At Night

Putting Yourself and Others at Risk

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), when you’re tired and driving, that’s a bad combination. The numbers tell the story with more than 6,400 people dying each year due to crashes that involve drowsy driving or falling asleep at the wheel.

Many individuals have occasionally felt sleep-deprived, but it can be as dangerous as driving while drunk. One survey found that more than one in 25 adults has admitted to falling asleep at the wheel or feeling tired while operating a motor vehicle, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Getting an Adequate Amount of Sleep

Putting sleep first is key, and most teens and adults do not get enough. Often, people become tired from a busy schedule that can be school-related or job-shift-related, etc. People are unique in their sleep requirements, but the NSF says there is a base number of hours that all individuals need. Adults should be getting at least seven hours nightly, and teens should be sleeping for at least eight hours. It is important to keep a consistent sleep timetable.

Refraining From Alcohol and/or Medication

Avoid taking over-the-counter or prescription medication that can make you sleepy at the wheel. Talk with your pharmacist about the meds you’re taking and how they may affect the operation of a vehicle, machinery, etc.

Also, do not have alcohol before you drive. Drinking only increases drowsiness and can affect your ability to drive safely. The sleepier you become at the wheel, the less likely you are to pay attention to the road. Not only that but your reaction to braking or steering suddenly will be compromised. In addition, when you are driving while tired, making good decisions behind the wheel becomes impaired.

Making Regular Stops on Long Trips

If you’ll be driving your vehicle for a few hours, it is recommended that you plan for regular stops along the way. According to safety experts, this means looking for rest stops during your trip and taking a short break. It’s good to stretch the legs and get the circulation moving. Plan your stops after every two hours or 100 miles.

Another recommendation is to share your drive with a friend on a long trip. A passenger companion can help with the driving or at least talk with you to keep you alert, etc.

Installing a Fatigue Monitoring System Device

Another way to remain safe on the road is by using modern technology that can instantly detect driver fatigue. This type of device can fit in any vehicle and performs with plug-and-play installation via a standard USB. It’s effective for both day and night driving and works by tracking eye movements and head position and immediately delivers an audible alert in the form of an alarm.

Read Also: In-depth Study of U.S. Road Safety: Unraveling the Critical Influence of Race, Age, and Gender on Car Accident Dynamics

The signs of fatigue are not always so easy to recognize. For instance, some tired drivers can experience brief, “involuntary periods of inattention.” This is known as micro-sleep and can last about five seconds. It’s also potentially dangerous because, at highway speed, that vehicle can travel the length of a football field, says the National Safety Council.

Protect yourself and others. Learn about driving while tired, and don’t get behind the wheel when sleep-deprived.

References

National Safety Council. (n.d.). Fatigue Monitoring And Wearables. Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://www.nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/work-to-zero/safety-technologies/fatigue-monitoring-and-wearables

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