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Impaired Driving> Fatigue
Overview: What is drowsy driving and why is it a problem?
Sleep experts generally define “drowsy driving” as being either sleepy, or fatigued to the point where it impairs the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, many factors lead to fatigue and drowsy driving. These include inadequate sleep, accumulated sleep debt, the use of medications or alcohol while driving, undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders and varying work schedules. These factors have an increasing effect whereby the higher number of sleep-related factors affecting the driver, the greater risk of becoming involved in a fatigue-related collision.
Sleep represents one-third of our daily lives and significantly influences the quality of the other two-thirds. Proper sleep plays an important role in terms of our overall physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being. Being well rested gives us the energy to deal with the day-to-day challenges of modern living. Despite the importance of sleep, it is often lost in the shuffle and sacrificed to accommodate family, career, and home responsibilities.
Much of today’s society operates on a 24/7 basis, and it is not uncommon that many people work varying hours and/or commit to longer work shifts. In addition, many people maintain part-time jobs to supplement their full-time employment. Many people today may be required to care for aging parents while also raising young children. Many families require a dual income to meet financial obligations. To meet these increasing and ever-changing demands, people shift priorities and adjust their way of living often at the price of proper rest and adequate sleep.
On average, collisions which were fatigue-related represent approximately 6.48% of reported crashes. Characteristically, drowsy driving collisions tend to be serious in nature as drivers often do not make any corrective adjustments to avoid the crash. The drowsy driving collisions tend to be at higher speeds and tend to be under-reported to official agencies, as many drivers are reluctant to report falling asleep at the wheel.
Drowsy driving is another form of driving impairment that affects a broad spectrum of individuals. While certain segments of the population are more vulnerable to drowsy driving:
• Drivers with an accumulated sleep debt
• Shift workers
• University and college students
• People with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders
• Workers in the transportation industry
• Travelers out driving on the road
Driving while fatigued or drowsy can result in significant consequences for all motorists. As drivers, we need to understand that fatigue-related collisions are a serious traffic safety issue and take corrective measures to minimize the risks. Some solutions will require making lifestyle changes in addition to recognizing the warning signs of drowsy driving.
Some warning signs to watch for while driving on the road:
• You can’t stop yawning
• You have trouble keeping your eyes open
• You can’t remember the last few kilometers you’ve driven
• Your car starts drifting within your lane
• You’re unable to concentrate and find that your thoughts wander
Should you have even one of these conditions, it's best to get off the road and to find a safe rest area to take a nap. In addition, while traveling, avoid the use of alcohol. Studies reveal drivers who travel long distances are more susceptible to fatigue-related crashes if they’ve consumed alcohol. As well, get plenty of sleep before a long trip. The average person requires about 8 hours of sleep each night.
