![]() ![]() ![]() For instance, obstructive sleep apnea is significantly associated with crash risk for a variety of populations.Īccording to McManus, although research shows that a minimum of seven hours of sleep is associated with safe driving, it is not always the amount of sleep everyone needs for every situation. Individuals who may have conditions impacting sleep quality such as insomnia and sleep apnea should seek treatment to improve sleep quality. In countering drowsy driving, prevention would include obtaining enough sleep as well as good-quality sleep. “Taking into consideration these limitations, the preferred countermeasure to drowsy driving is prevention,” McManus said. “Research tells us that, as a supplement to sleep, naps can be effective for maintaining sustained attention, learning and memory.” “Ceasing driving to take a nap may be the best of these commonly implemented countermeasures, as naps have been shown to reduce driving impairment in such situations,” McManus said. Additionally, subsequent rumble strip hits after the first hit do not effectively increase alertness. But even there, the effect is very short-lived, and research has shown that sleepiness signs re-emerge in about five minutes. Rumble strips on the sides of roads, for example, are effective at alerting drivers once they first start veering off the road. A cup of coffee or an energy drink may effectively increase alertness in a drowsy driver, but the driver is still at risk for driving errors and poor judgment.Īnother countermeasure that is being studied is infrastructure-related. For instance, several alertness-enhancing activities may be distracting.”Īlthough caffeine and other stimulants reduce subjective sleepiness and improve reaction time, decision-making is still impaired. “The countermeasures that involve continuing to drive after noticing signs of drowsiness carry several risks. “While these activities can help, they aren’t necessarily perfect solutions,” McManus said. Engage in alertness-enhancing activities while driving (radio adjustments, opening a window, engaging in conversation with passengers, etc.).“Following recognition of those indications, you can employ a few different tactics prior to and during driving to help you stay awake.” Most common prevention and countermeasure techniques “Recognizing the signs is the first step in prevention,” McManus said. Falling asleep while stopped in traffic or at a traffic light.Knowing the signs of becoming drowsy behind the wheel, many of which are similar to distracted and drunk driving, could potentially be lifesaving. “Compared to drivers who report typically getting seven or more hours of sleep nightly, those who typically sleep only four to five hours per night are 5.4 times more likely to be involved in a crash.” “The statistics are pretty jarring,” McManus said. McManus compiled research on the topic through his work in UAB’s Translational Research and Injury Prevention laboratory, which focuses on the prevention and control of unintentional injuries, particularly those resulting from motor vehicle crashes. In drowsy driving, alertness is drastically reduced and attentional resources become less available for driving. Where other forms of distracted driving are externally influenced, like interacting with a cellphone, drowsy driving is an internally influenced distraction but the result is the same - cognitive and visual resources are withdrawn from driving. “Like in distracted drivers, cognitive resources are directed away from the task of driving in drowsy drivers.” candidate in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Lifespan Development Psychology graduate program in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Drowsy driving can be considered a form of distracted driving,” said Benjamin McManus, a Ph.D. Conservative estimates show that 21 percent of fatal crashes involve drowsy driving.
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