-2.1 C
New York City
Friday, March 29, 2024
Home Driving Lessons Motoring Advice How to Maintain Alertness Behind the Wheel

How to Maintain Alertness Behind the Wheel

NEIL WORTH

[dropcap]R[/dropcap]ecent research from the United States shows that between 15 and 33 per cent of fatal crashes involve tired drivers, and that a worrying four per cent of Americans admit to having fallen asleep while driving within the previous month.

Additionally, new figures from Ireland suggest that tiredness is a factor in up to 20 per cent of driver deaths.

Being a safer driver means being physically and mentally prepared to drive. If we all got the amount of sleep we need, there would be fewer crashes, fewer near-crashes and fewer road rage incidents. Well-rested drivers are much more likely to remain alert; they see hazards developing earlier and they can react to them in good time.

We all feel better when we wake up after a good night’s sleep, and we’re more alert. We respond more quickly and our reaction times are faster. We perform better, we retain information better, and our moods are better after good sleep.

On the other hand, fatigue among drivers is one of our greatest public health threats. Work pressures can keep many people awake at night, yet the same pressures require them to be up and out early in the morning, in control of a heavy machine that’s travelling at high speed and capable of doing enormous damage.

Depriving someone of sleep makes them moody and irrational. That’s why many road rage incidents in the morning rush hour are likely to relate to people who simply didn’t get a good night’s sleep.

Breakdown and road safety organisation, GEM Motoring Assist, therefore, offers the following advice for avoiding the risks associated with fatigue:

  • Give yourself the opportunity to get a good night’s sleep – preferably every night and certainly before you need to make a road journey
  • Understand that a sleep deficit of just a couple of hours can lead to irritability and can also increase someone’s likelihood to take irrational risks
  • Feeling drowsy in the middle of the day doesn’t make you lazy – for most people it’s a natural part of the daily cycle of sleep and wakefulness
  • Taking a short nap during the working day may not be a possibility for everyone, but it’s much better than relying on stimulant drinks to keep awake
  • For driving, fatigue is a serious risk, so don’t begin a long journey if you’re already tired.
  • If you feel sleepy while driving, then stop as soon as it’s safe. Resting and drinking some coffee offers a possible short-term fix.
  • The only proper cure for sleepiness is good sleep.

 

Neil Worth is GEM’s road safety officer

Most Popular

Baltimore Bridge Disaster: Immigrants Died Doing Job ‘Others Do Not Want To Do

They came to the United States for a chance at a better life. They found work filling pot holes on a bridge in the...

Fully Electric Volvo EX30 Named 2024 World Urban Car

Volvo Company on Thursday burst into celebration, as its fully electric EX30, landed a big accolade at the prestigious World Car Awards. Beating a competitive...

Nissan to Compete in All-Electric FIA World Championship until 2030

Nissan has expressed commitment to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship until at least 2030, reinforcing its Ambition 2030 electrification plans. Running from Season...

2024 Easter Special Patrol: FRSC Deploys 200 Mobile Courts, Over 1000 Vehicles, others

As part of its measures to prevent road crash during the Ester celebration, the Federal Road safety Corps has deployed not less than 200...