The Drowsy Driver

• Prevention Tools

Facts:

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Estimates That

Drowsiness/fatigue Is a Principal Causal Factor in Approximately 100,000 Police-reported Crashes Annually (About 1.5%).

Risk Groups

Everyone Is at Risk of Drowsy Driving, Especially Those:– Deprived of Sleep– Driving Long Distances Without Rest Breaks– Driving Through the Night or at Times Normally

Asleep– Taking Medications That Increase Sleepiness– Drinking Alcohol– Driving Alone– Driving on Long, Rural, Boring Roads– That are Frequent Travelers

Driving Drowsy

As Many As 100 Million Americans Are Not Getting Enough Sleep.

•Missed Hours of Sleep Add up to a "Sleep Debt," or the Sleep You Owe Your Body.

Signs of Sleep Debt:•Sleeping Through The Alarm Clock•Nodding off During the Day•Being Clumsy or Having Trouble Focusing

Driving Drowsy

The Average American Is Carrying Around a Sleep Debt of As Much As

30 to 40 Hours!

Driving Drowsy

Driving Drowsy Is the Same As Driving Drunk.• Judgment Is Impaired• Reaction Time Is Impaired• Memory Is ImpairedWhen This Huge Sleep Debt That Has Accumulated

Suddenly Seizes…People Die.Drowsiness Is Not a Warning Sign. It Is the Last

Thing That Happens Before Falling Asleep, Whether You Want to or Not.

Study

• In a study done recently by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a typical crash related to fatigue has the following characteristics:

• Occurs Late at Night, Early Morning or Mid-afternoon;

• It Is Likely to Be Serious;• A Single Vehicle Is Involved;• Occurs on a High-speed Road;• The Driver Does Not Attempt to Avoid a Crash;• The Driver Is Alone in the Vehicle.

Crash Risks

There is an increased crash risk among people with untreated sleep apnea syndrome and narcolepsy. Undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing, ranging from habitual snoring to repeated breathing interruptions, also increases the likelihood of crashes in a dose-response manner.

These disorders are not always linked to impaired driving; many people affected with these disorders have reported no auto crashes.

Warning Signs of Fatigue

If You Notice You Are / Have:– Inability to Remember the Last Few Miles

Driven

– Drifting, or Jerking Your Vehicle Back Into the Lane

– Experiencing Wavering Disconnected Thoughts

– Yawning Repeatedly

Warning Signs of Fatigue

• If You Notice You Are / Have:– Difficulty Focusing or Keeping Your Eyes Open – Tailgating, Missing Traffic Signs– Trouble Keeping Your Head Up

You May Be a Victim of Drowsy Driving!

Rumble Strips

• Rumble Strips, the Deep Grooves Placed on the Shoulders of the Roads to Alert Drivers Who Are Drifting to the Edges, Have Been Known to Stop an Estimated 15 to 70 Percent of Crashes Due to Drowsy Driving.

• These Strips Should Be Heeded As an External Sign of Fatigue - a Sign That Prompts You to Pull off the Road at a Safe Place and Get Some Sleep.

Medications

If on Medication That Could Impair Driving in Any Way, Do Not Drive After Taking It.

Let Someone Else Do the Driving, So That You Can Arrive Safely.

Short-Term Solution

When in Danger of Falling Asleep, Find a Safe Place to Stop for a Brief Nap.

Start to Drink Coffee, or Another Source of

Caffeine, to Promote Short-term Alertness…If You Are Unable to Stop

Right Away.

Inattention

About One Million Crashes Annually Are Attributed to Driver Inattention/Lapses. Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue Make Such Lapses

More Likely to Occur.

Ensure Your Safety and the Safety of Those Riding With You by Reducing Your Chances of Driving Under the Influence of Fatigue.

Before Leaving

• Get a Good Night's Sleep. While This Varies From Individual to Individual, the Average Person Requires About 8 Hours of Sleep a Night.

Before Leaving

Plan to Drive Long Trips With a Companion. Passengers Can Help Look for Early Warning Signs of Fatigue or Switch Drivers When Needed. Passengers Should Stay Awake to Talk to the Driver.

Before Leaving

• Schedule Regular Stops, Every 100 Miles or 2 Hours.

• Avoid Alcohol/Medications That May Impair Performance.

• Consult Physician or a Local Sleep Disorder Center for Diagnosis and Treatment If You Suffer From Frequent Daytime Sleepiness, Often Have Difficulty Sleeping at Night, and/or Snore Loudly Every Night.

While Driving

• When Driving You Should:

• Recognize That You Are in Danger of Falling Asleep.

• Respond to Symptoms of Fatigue by Finding a Safe Place to Stop.

• Take a Brief (20 to 40 Minute) Nap If Tired.

• Drink Coffee or Another Source of Caffeine to Promote Short-term Alertness If Needed.

Review Control Measures

• Adequate Sleep Before Driving

• Avoid Midnight to 06:00 hr. Timeframe

• No Alcohol Consumption

• Take Effective Steps to Stay Awake– Nap For 20 Minutes– Consume 2 Cups of Coffee

• Ineffective: Exercise, Stereo, Windows Down

Don’t Drive When Tired or Sleepy

•If Sleepy: Reduce Your Risk:

•Take Quick Nap and / Or Drink 2 Cups of Coffee

•Stop Driving Before Midnight

•Do NOT Drink Any Alcohol