We’ve probably all felt it—that drowsy feeling while driving, either after a long day or on a trip. What may seem minor could actually be deadly. Fatigued driving is responsible for about 328,000 accidents each year that includes 109,000 injuries and 6,400 deaths. In fact, 27 percent of all fatal accidents are caused by drowsy driving.
How does fatigued driving cause problems?
Driving while tired is dangerous for both the driver and anyone sharing the road.
- Reduced attention span-when you’re tired, you can’t concentrate as well, especially when your focus is on trying to stay awake. Inattentive driving is a major cause of accidents.
- Reduced reaction time- a tired brain and a tired body can’t mentally or physically react to sudden changes that require quick braking or other immediate reactions on the part of the driver.
- Reduced ability to make sound decisions-fatigue causes an inability to focus and make good decisions. Fatigued drivers often think “one more mile” or misjudge distance when pulling into traffic, etc.
What causes fatigued driving?
- Undiagnosed sleep disorders-truck drivers are statistically more inclined to have sleep apnea for various reasons, which can be deadly if not well-managed.
- Lack of an appropriate and consistent sleep schedule-when you work in an industry that is bustling 24/7, it’s not uncommon for your schedule to be both intense and irregular. Finding ways to have a consistent schedule as much as possible will reduce fatigue.
- Medication-sleepiness is a common side effect of many medications. Talk to your doctor about how to mitigate the side effect.
- Lack of quality sleep-this sounds easy, but there is a difference between sleeping and quality sleep. You can be in bed for nine hours, but if you are not getting good sleep, it will not help. In some cases, restless sleeping can make the problem worse.
What are the signs of fatigued driving?
These may seem obvious, but most can happen gradually and could be easy to dismiss mentally. Don’t wait until you’re experiencing all these signs before pulling over for rest.
- Yawning or blinking frequently.
- Difficulty remembering the past few miles driven.
- Missing your exit.
- Drifting from your lane.
- Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road
How to prevent fatigued driving
Many of these tips may seem obvious, but they are worth saying as often as it takes for people to listen.
- If you feel overworked, ask for a mental health day or shorter route
- Get enough sleep! Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep a day. Your personal health, age, and other factors could make this vary for you.
- Develop good sleeping habits, such as sticking to a sleep schedule and not looking at screens (like your smartphone!) right before bed. Studies show that screen exposure disrupts sleep.
- Make your health a priority! Eat properly, manage your stress, etc.
- If you have a sleep disorder or have symptoms such as snoring or feeling sleepy during the day, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medications that make you sleepy. Be sure to check the label on any medications or talk to your pharmacist.
Safety for all is a priority at On Time Logistics.