It look's like you don't have Adobe Flash Player installed. Get it now.
Everyone knows drunk drivers are a danger to other motorists, but there's another kind of driver out there who poses possibly just as great a danger--the sleepy ones. KSMU's Michele Skalicky reports.
Sound—highway
We've probably all experienced it at one time or another—we're driving down the road and suddenly can't seem to keep our eyes open. It's a common experience, but it can be deadly.
Sound—crash
And the danger only increases as people head out on the roads in large numbers for the Memorial Day weekend.
Deborah Elfindale is the supervisor and coordinator of the Sleep Disorders Center at Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson.
"In the most recent polls, the National Sleep Foundation estimates that it's over 100,000 automobile accidents annually, and we know that in those 100,000 auto accidents annually that it is a very underreported number. We know it's a big problem, but it's very difficult to report it because there's just so few ways to report it. THere's 15,000 fatalities annually, 71,000 injuries. They estimate it at a $12.5 billion monetary loss."
Another one million crashes are linked to inattention, which increases with fatigue. When you're tired, Elfindale says, your ability to react quickly is reduced.
"When I was a child and we were taught to drive, I was taught to watch out, be prepared for whatever's coming at you so that you can prevent a crash, to do whatever's necessary to maintain safety. Your level of fatigue reduces your ability to pay attention to those details."
There aren't many people who can say they've never operated a vehicle while feeling drowsy. A Sleep in America Poll done by the National Sleep Foundation in 2005 found that 60% of Americans had driven while drowsy in the past year. One out of five drivers reported having fallen asleep at the wheel.
There are warning signs to tell you if you need to pull over and rest. They include difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and heavy eyelids, trouble remembering the last few miles you've driven and missing exits or traffic signs.
To avoid driving while drowsy, try to get a good night's sleep before you hit the road; use the buddy system so you can take turn's driving; take a break every 100 miles or so; pack a cooler filled with caffeinated beverages and avoid driving when you normally would be sleeping.
Elfindale acknowledges there may be times when you have to make an exception to the last piece of advice.
"In certain circumstances driving through the night may be right thing for you, but the bottom line is, take a moment and think about it. You don't get a second chance. A fall-asleep accident may not just affect you--it may affect many, many more people, and you don't want to have that 'gee, if I'd only,' especially when it comes to "if only I'd taken a good night's sleep."
Other problems associated with driving while drowsy include impaired vision and an increase in anger and moodiness, which Elfindale points out aren't good things, especially when you're trying to deal with heavy holiday traffic or traveling on unfamiliar roads.
For more information about preventing drowsy driving go to sleepfoundation.org.
Links:
