Driver fatigue is a leading cause of car accidents, with tired drivers having slower reaction times and reduced alertness. Symptoms include yawning, tired eyes, and difficulty concentrating. To prevent fatigue, drivers should rest before long trips, avoid driving at night, and take breaks. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 20% of accidents involve fatigued drivers.
When people drive while tired, drowsy, or drowsy, this is known as “driver fatigue.” Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of car accidents, as drowsy drivers are unable to make quick decisions and may have slower reaction times. As a result, many governments have education programs to alert people to the dangers of driving while tired, and drivers are encouraged to avoid conditions that can lead to driver fatigue.
Tired drivers often have a hard time processing and using information; For example, a driver may not recognize that he or she has swerved into the wrong lane until it is too late. Driving fatigue can also lead to reduced alertness and slower reaction times. In extreme cases, a driver can slip into a microsleep, briefly losing consciousness en route, and this can be extremely dangerous. Driver fatigue risks increase dramatically between 10:00 pm and dawn, especially for people who work unusual hours or who may have sleep disorders.
Several symptoms can suggest driver fatigue, including yawning, tired eyes, boredom, inability to remember the last stretch of road, oversteering, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Drivers who notice these symptoms should stop to rest, ideally to get out of the car and stretch as well. Many major highways offer rest stops for this purpose, and it is important to pull away from the road to rest and avoid collisions.
Drivers should also avoid driving at night or traveling with a partner who may share driving responsibilities. It is also important to rest before a major trip, and such expeditions should start early in the morning, leaving the day free for driving. Stretching and setting aside time for breaks during travel is also a great way to prevent fatigue. Many governments also recommend reducing driver fatigue by setting achievable distance targets and recognizing the signs of drowsy driving early. It is better to stop and be a little late than to have an accident.
In the United States, the National Sleep Foundation estimates that around 20% of accidents may involve fatigued drivers. 37% of drivers in a 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration admitted they had fallen asleep while driving. The risk of traffic accidents increases at night due to a variety of factors, but fatigue is a major problem, and this risk is also increased in rural and remote areas. The National Sleep Foundation asks drivers to “Drive alert, arrive alive.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
