Driving fatigued can have tragic consequences

  • Published
  • By 18th Wing Safety
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen are reminded that long hours and lack of sleep can have devastating consequences.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes each year are the direct result of driver fatigue. These crashes resulted in an estimated 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. Driving while fatigued is very dangerous.

A driver who falls asleep may crash head-on in to another vehicle, a tree or a wall at full speed with no attempt to avoid the crash or braking. The inability of a sleeping driver to try to avoid crashing makes this type of crash especially severe.

Studies have found people's cognitive-psychomotor abilities to be as impaired after 24 hours without sleeping as with a blood alcohol content of .10 percent, which is higher than the legal limit for driving under the influence in all U.S. states.

What are the specific at-risk groups affected by drowsy driving?

Young people: Sleep related crashes are most common in young people, especially those who tend to stay up late, sleep too little and drive at night.

Shift workers and people who work long hours: The human body never fully adjusts to shift work. The body's sleep and wake cycles are dictated by light and dark cycles and generally will lead a person to feel sleepy between midnight and 6 a.m.

People with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders: Many different sleep disorders result in excessive daytime sleepiness.

Other risk factors include long trips and certain medications.

Warning signs of drowsiness:
  • The inability to recall the last few miles traveled.
  • Having disconnected or wandering thoughts.
  • Having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open.
  • Feeling as though your head is very heavy.
  • Drifting out of your driving lane, perhaps driving on the rumble strips.
  • Yawning repeatedly.
  • Accidentally tailgating other vehicles.
  • Missing traffic signs.
In fact, drowsy drivers sometimes drive so poorly that they might appear to be drunk.

Avoiding drowsy driving:
  • Get a good night's sleep. Sleep experts recommend between 7 - 9 hours of sleep per night.
  • Plan to drive long trips with a companion. Passengers can help look for early signs of fatigue. Also, switching drivers on occasion may be helpful. Passengers can stay awake and monitor the driver's condition.
  • Take regular breaks. Schedule regular stops, every 100 miles or two hours, even if you don't feel tired. Break more often if you feel you need more rest.
  • Avoid alcohol and medications. If medications warn that they cause or may cause drowsiness, avoid taking them before driving. You should never consume alcohol before driving. Alcohol interacts with fatigue and will increase sleepiness.
  • Consult your physician or local sleep disorder center if you suffer frequent daytime sleepiness, difficulty sleeping at night, or snore loudly on a regular basis.
  • Take a nap if you are already driving and start feeling fatigued. Find a safe place you can stop, park your car, and sleep for 15 - 20 minutes. A nap lasting longer than 20 minutes can make you groggy for at least 15 minutes after waking.
For more information, go to www.aaafoundation.org.

(Information provided by the AAA Foundation)