Avoid Drowsy Driving A Ten-Minute Training Topics Presentation

Statistics According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); “Being sleepy affects your ability to drive safely even if you don't fall asleep. Drowsiness— –Makes drivers less attentive. –Slows reaction time. –Affects a driver's ability to make decisions.

Statistics Further, cognitive impairment after approximately 18 hours awake is similar to that of someone with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. After about 24 hours awake, impairment is equivalent to a BAC of 0.10%, higher than the legal limit in all states.

Introduction A recent research study completed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety documented the impact of having drowsy drivers on the road is much greater than initially believed.

Introduction Drowsy drivers are involved in an estimated 21% of fatal crashes, up from 16.5% from the previous 2010 study, as most drivers drift out of their lanes or off the road.

Introduction Many people refuse to view drowsy driving as a serious problem since they believe that they can drive safely while drowsy themselves.

Introduction Unfortunately, people cannot tell when they’re about to fall asleep (lose consciousness) and they’re putting themselves and others in danger when they push themselves to complete their trip without a break.

Who is at greatest risk? Since everyone needs sleep, we’re all at risk to drive while drowsy at some point in our lives; however, research shows that some key factors influence or increase our likelihood of driving drowsy.

Who is at greatest risk? The National Sleep Foundation offers this insight: –There are many underlying causes of sleepiness, drowsiness, fatigue and drowsy driving. –They include sleep loss from restriction, interruption or fragmentation; chronic sleep debt; circadian factors associated with driving patterns or work schedules; time on task; the use of sedating medications; and the consumption of alcohol when already tired.

Who is at greatest risk? These factors have cumulative effects and a combination of any of these increases crash risk greatly.

Who is at greatest risk? The risk of having a crash due to drowsy driving is not uniformly distributed across the population.

Who is at greatest risk? Research has identified young males, shift workers, commercial drivers and people with untreated sleep disorders or with short-term or chronic sleep deprivation as being at increased risk for having a fall- asleep crash.

Risk Increasing Factors The National Sleep Foundation suggests that the following factors may predispose you to having to deal with drowsy driving: –Sleep-deprived or fatigued (6 hours of sleep or less triples your risk) –Suffering from sleep loss (insomnia), poor quality sleep, or a sleep debt

Risk Increasing Factors –Driving long distances without proper rest breaks –Driving through the night, mid-afternoon or when you would normally be asleep –Taking sedating medications (antidepressants, cold tablets, antihistamines)

Risk Increasing Factors –Working more than 60 hours a week (increases your risk by 40%) –Working more than one job and your main job involves shift work –Drinking even small amounts of alcohol –Driving alone or on a long, rural road in the dark without helpful distractions to keep the mind occupied (i.e. billboards, lights of shopping centers, etc)

What are the warning signs? Here are some signs that should remind a driver that it may be time to stop for a break: –Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids –Persistent daydreaming; difficult to focus; difficult to maintain a clear train of thought –Trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs

What are the warning signs? –Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes –Trouble keeping your head up (nodding) –Difficulty maintaining speed, following distance –Drifting from your lane, hitting a shoulder rumble strip

Tips to Reduce Risk The most obvious tip for avoiding drowsy driving is to maintain a consistent sleep cycle and get enough rest. Avoid scheduling drives between midnight and six in the morning when possible. Build a healthy lifestyle of eating a well balanced diet and get some exercise each day.

Tips to Reduce Risk Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine and avoid smoking as these chemicals can interfere with a normal sleep cycle.

Tips to Reduce Risk When you’re on the road and feeling drowsy, take breaks at safe rest areas and exercise gently to stimulate your body and mind. A brisk walk can help, but no matter what you do to “wake up” your body will decide to try to sleep on its own if it is very sleep deprived or in rough condition.

Tips to Reduce Risk Modern technology is beginning to catch up with drowsy driving. –There are systems that use cameras to monitor eye movement and chin position to detect micro napping, head nodding and closed eyelids of drivers to send an audible alarm to the cabin. –If multiple alarms are sent (indicating an escalating issue), an alert is sent to a 24/7 crisis center which can intervene by phone or radio to get the driver off of the road prior to a collision.

Tips to Reduce Risk When possible and permitted, a passenger/companion can help monitor your condition and help keep your mind focused with light discussion.

Tips to Reduce Risk The National Sleep Foundation suggests that if you can find a safe, secure place to get off the road, a short nap of 15 minutes may also help refresh you.

Tips to Reduce Risk Further, they say coffee as a stimulant is a risky bet as it can take up to 30 minutes for it to hit your system, and it is a stopgap at best.

Summary Drowsy driving can affect anyone, but some groups are more likely to be affected due to their work schedules or lifestyle choices.

Summary Getting a good night’s sleep on a consistent schedule tends to be one of the best defenses against drowsy driving, but moderate exercise and a well balanced diet can help also.

Summary Be familiar with the warning signs and keep track of safe rest areas along your planned route so that you can pull over without fear of another driver hitting your vehicle. –While on a break, exercise and fresh air can help restore your body’s circulation and stimulate your mind. –For some people, a short nap (15 minutes or less) can be restorative.

Summary When permitted and practical, a companion may be appropriate if they can help to monitor your condition while driving and engage in light conversation to keep you focused on the road instead of succumbing to slumber.

Summary As a last resort, some experts allow for the use of coffee as a stimulant, but also warn that it is at best a short lived stopgap that typically takes 30 minutes to begin to affect most people’s attention.

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