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RAC FOUNDATION -- FATIGUE FACT FILE
(April 2003)
-
Sleep
related accidents are three times more likely to result in serious
injury or death than other road accidents - because drowsy drivers
do not brake to try to prevent an accident the impact is worse.
-
The
"danger" time for falling asleep at the wheel is between
4am and 6am when a motorist is 13 times as likely to have a sleep
related accident as someone who is driving in the middle of the
morning or early evening. Mid afternoon (2pm-4pm) is also a danger
"spike".
-
Eleven per
cent of all motorway accidents happen between 4am and 6am -
surprising as traffic density is about a fifth of the average daily
level during this time.
-
Twenty per
cent of all motorway accidents happen on the hard shoulder - fatigue
is known to play a part in a number of these.
-
The
greatest incidence of sleep related accidents occurs when the driver
has been awake for more than eighteen hours.
-
Motorway
accidents which might be caused by sleepiness are frequently
categorised under other headings such as " inattention" or
"perceptual error" although fatigue may have caused the
driver to make these mistakes in the first place. Fear of
prosecution and difficulties with insurance claims may deter many
motorists from admitting that.
-
Some
researchers claim that motorists can suffer from "highway
hypnosis" a trance like state induced by the monotony of
motorways and other trunk routes which render driver oblivious to
external events. Design practices such as the M8 artworks can help
to alleviate the monotony as can careful landscaping and other
engineering features.
-
Sleep,
however, is not something over which drivers have no control.
Accepting the need for rest and recognising the signs, and acting on
them, could help to avoid accidents.
-
Drivers who
are involved in a sleep related accident face serious consequences.
Causing death by dangerous driving can carry a prison sentence of up
to 10 years and an unlimited fine.
-
Sleep
apnoea, a medical condition which can result in
"micro-sleeps", is a fairly common condition. Studies show
that sufferers are seven times more likely to have a road accident
than normal drivers.
RAC Foundation Advice for Drivers
-
Don't attempt
to drive if tired - it's always better to start fresh. While driving
through the night may be a good way to avoid congestion make sure that
you've had enough sleep beforehand.
-
Check that
any medication will not affect driving or cause drowsiness and avoid
alcohol completely - even a single measure can make you sleepy.
-
Take regular
breaks - every couple of hours is recommended and try to plan stopping
places in advance but avoid heavy, fat laden meals.
-
Make sure
that the car is well ventilated and not too warm and stuffy.
-
If you do
start to feel drowsy, stop where it
is safe, get out, walk around, breathe deeply, do some stretching
exercises or jog on the spot and drink a couple of cups of strong
coffee or a high caffeine drink. These will only offer temporary
relief and are not a substitute for sleep.
-
Have a ten to
fifteen minute snooze to refresh yourself.
RAC Motoring Services point out that
although many motorists try to fight fatigue by turning up their radio
or winding down the windows, the effect of such actions are proven to be
temporary at best. The availability of high-energy drinks containing
caffeine has provided motorists with other options to help them stay
alert, particularly when followed by a short nap. For example, RAC
launched a caffeine drink called RAC 124,containing 124mg of caffeine.
This is the same amount of caffeine that is typically contained in two
strong cups of coffee and is the amount recommended by the Highway Code
as helping to temporarily alleviate feelings of tiredness.
RAC 124 is one of a number of caffeine
drinks currently on the UK market.
END
Royal Automobile Club (RAC)
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