According to statistics, up to 20% of motorist accidents are caused by drivers who suddenly fall asleep while driving. Every year, around 100,000 automobile crashes are accounted to drivers who actually fall sleep at the wheel. Driving from 2am to 7am increases a driver?s risk for accidents. What are the underlying causes behind this phenomenon?
Aside from the possible accidents that drivers have to face while on duty, they also have to deal with the alarming health damage of their job. Through time, drivers are put at a greater risk of suffering from many fatal diseases including diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Recent researches show that a great portion of motor accidents recorded are caused by excessive daytime sleepiness and other sleep-related disorders.
Sleeping Disorders
A group of sleeping conditions which are mainly characterized by disturbances in the quality, timing and amount of a person?s sleep. When left untreated, this normally results to daytime sleepiness and it can drastically affect quality, overall health and safety of the patients. Aside from daytime sleepiness, most common symptoms of sleeping disorders include increased movement when sleeping, irregular breathing, abnormal sleep behaviours and difficulty in sleeping.
The most common forms of sleeping disorders include narcolepsy, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, rapid eye movement behaviour disorder, hypopnea syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, delayed sleep phase syndrome, night terror, sleep terror disorder, pavor nocturnus and bruxism.
Causes of Drowsy Driving
According to a study in Sweden, sleeping disorders are very common to professional drivers. Results of the study with 116 participants showed that 23% are experiencing pronounced daytime sleepiness, 29% have restless legs, 19% are diagnosed with sleep apnea and 28% of them are having difficulties in falling asleep.
Due to their irregular working schedules which prevent them from getting adequate amount of sleep regularly, professional drivers are at a greater risk of developing sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia. This increases their risk of suffering from major road accidents which may cause injury and even death.
There are definitely lots of factors which can contribute to excessive sleepiness while driving. These factors include disruption in circadian rhythm, interruption in sleep, lack or loss of sleep, chronic sleep debt, fragmented sleep, undiagnosed sleeping disorders, intake of sedating medications and intake of alcohol.
Compared to ordinary drivers, long distance drivers, professional drivers, shift workers and those who have been diagnosed with sleeping disorders are at a greater risk of suffering from fatigue-related crashes.
When Should Drivers Take A Rest?
Professional drivers are entrusted with people?s lives. Professional driving is a job that requires optimum concentration all the time. When drivers are not getting adequate amount of sleep regularly, their alertness and reaction time are greatly affected. In effect, accidents may occur.
When should drivers stop and take a rest?
-When you blink very often
-When you have heavy eyelids
-When you have difficulty in focusing or remembering
-If you are having daydreams and you yawn repeatedly
-If you are drifting from the proper lane or tailgaiting
-If you feel irritable all the time
-If you feel restless
Modern lifestyle accompanied by work related factors such as shift working are seen as major contributors to sleeping disorders which professional drivers are experiencing. Intake of alcohol and inadequate amount of sleep actually offer the same effects to drivers. The negative impacts of these unhealthy lifestyles include slow reaction time, poor coordination, being aggressive or moody, reduced alertness and impaired vision and judgment.
What Are the Benefits of Getting Adequate Amount of Sleep Regularly
Sleep is a natural process which is very beneficial to the body. It actually lowers a person?s susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other health conditions. It helps people with depression and it helps in maintaining good health.
What To Do To Prevent Accidents While Driving
-Never drive if you are fatigue, tired, sleepy or feel drowsy
-Take at least 5 minutes break after 2 hours of continuous driving
-Avoid heavy meals when driving as it can cause a significant drop in your blood sugar level
-Avoid taking a stare at the incoming headlight when driving at night
-Avoid using a heater when driving as it can induce sleepiness
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