Driver Fatigue
Having an accident as a result of driver fatigue will result in a higher
level of personal injury than any other type of accident.
This is because a crash caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel
typically involves vehicles running off the road or into the back of
another vehicle. They tend to be relatively high-speed crashes, because
drivers were not braking before the point of impact.
However, you might not always realise just how tired you are, so it is
important that you are aware of the warning signs.
Research shows that normal sleep does not occur without warning. Warning
signs include: increased difficulty in concentrating, yawning, heavy
eyelids, eyes starting to ‘roll', and neck muscles relax, making the
head droop. If you experience these symptoms, you should find somewhere
safe to rest as soon as possible, rather than trying to fight off
tiredness. Winding down the window, listening to music and talking to a
passenger do not help prevent sleep, although they may temporarily help
you to stay alert until you find somewhere safe to stop.
Tips
If you have a journey in excess of 2 hours, plan it into your working
day, rather than adding it to your day.
· Try to avoid driving between midnight and 6am.
· If you stop at service station, park as far from the facilities as
possible. The walk will help to refresh you. Ensure that your rest
period is more than 15 minutes.
· If you drink caffeine, drink two cups of coffee or a high-caffeine
drink, such as an energy drink.
· If you take a snooze make it no longer than 15 minutes. Set the alarm
on your phone. Place the phone close enough to hear it, but far enough
away so you physically have to move to switch it off.
· If you still feel tired, do not continue your journey.
Remember that safety is the most important thing to consider while
driving - much more important than sticking to a schedule.
