Safe Drive 2000 - tips and statistics for young drivers
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Who is at the Highest
Risk? What population groups are the most likely to have an
accident attributed to drowsy driving? According to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the
three most likely are: One of the best articles
found during research for this site is at the U.S.
Department of Transportation website. Much of the data used
here is taken from an article at this site called "Drowsy
Driving and Automobile Crashes (NCSDR/NHTSA Expert Panel on
Driver Fatigue and Sleepiness)." The purpose of the report
was to "provide direction to the NCSDR/NHTSA educational
campaign to combat drowsy driving". The reader is invited to
visit this site for additional information and
insights. Extent of the Problem.
According to a Senate Appropriations Report, in the years
prior to 1996 it is estimated that there were approximately
56,000 crashes annually in which driver drowsiness and/or
fatigue were cited by the police; roughly 40,000 injuries
and 1,550 deaths resulted from these crashes. Bear in mind
that there are most probably many more crashes that are
caused by drowsiness or fatigue but authorities are still
refining their system of reporting to identify these crashes
for what they are. Sleepiness impairs
performance. According to the report, reaction time,
watchfulness, attention, and information processing are
affected by drowsiness. Crash
Characteristics Typical crash
characteristics include: This last is significant
in that with another person present in the car, the driver
is more likely to stay awake but a driver should never
depend on that person as he or she could very well fall
asleep as well. Causes of
Drowsiness The report noted the
following as contributing to or increasing the risk of
drowsiness: Young
People Some of you at this point
will stop and say, well, there are more drivers in the 16-29
age group, so, of course, there are more accidents.
According to the report, one-fourth of all licensed drivers
are ages 16-29, but they account for almost two-thirds of
drowsy driving crashes. As a matter of interest,
the study also found that age makes a difference as to the
time of day a drowsy-driving accident may occur. "The risk
of crash related to sleepiness increases during the
nighttime hours for both young drivers (under 25 years of
age) and drivers between the ages of 26 and 45. Drivers aged
45 through 65 have fewer nighttime crashes, with a peak at
7:00 a.m. Drivers older than 65 are more likely to have
fall-asleep crashes during the mid-afternoon." In addition
the report states that: "NHSTA data show that males are five
times more likely than females to be involved in
drowsy-driving crashes." Possible reasons for young
people, and possibly males in particular, being involved in
more drowsy-driving crashes include: The researchers in the
report lament: "The subgroup at greatest risk comprises the
brightest, most energetic, hardest working
teens." Shift
Workers According to the report,
about one in five men and one in six women work other than a
day-time shift. Sleep disruptions caused by shift work may
result in lapses in attention, increased reaction time, and
decreased performance. When shift work sleep disruptions are
combined with the demands of family, second jobs and
recreation, it is not surprising that shift workers,
including interns, nurses, and 24-hours service center
employees, are among those most susceptible to
drowsy-driving accidents. Shift workers themselves
can alleviate the effects of sleep disruption by providing
an environment at home that lends itself to sleep during off
hours and sleeping at regular times. Employers can help
workers by providing an area where workers can nap before
starting home, or where workers can nap during the shift.
Cutting down the number of consecutive hours worked and the
frequency of rotating shift workers have also been suggested
as possible ways to alleviate the effects of shift work on
sleep patterns. Sleep
Disorders Sleep apnea and narcolepsy
are not necessarily linked with impaired driving. Persons
with untreated sleep disorders are actually involved in
fewer accidents than the other two groups possibly because
they tend to recognize their sleepiness and take precautions
whereas the other two groups may deny they are sleepy and
suffer for it. Drivers with these or similar conditions
should seek medical advice and treatment to avoid becoming a
statistic. Suggested Temporary
Countermeasures The report suggests the
following for counteracting the effects of drowsiness, but
notes that they are not a substitute for being well-rested
before a journey; they are only recommended as a means to
get a driver safely to a place where they can stop and rest
or call for a ride: The reports notes that
remedies such as getting out of the car and walking around,
physical discomfort (shivering, sweating, uncomfortable
seat), listening to the radio, talking on a cell phone, and
talking to another person, among others, have little
evidence to support their effectiveness. Alert
Devices Any type of in-vehicle
alert device or shoulder "rumble strips" only briefly
awakens a driver and are only effective if the driver takes
the hint and stops the car. Pulling into a rest stop is
another solution but lately this carries its own perils,
among them robbery. Some states have begun stationing police
officers or other security force on the premises to protect
drivers as they rest and use the facilities. Eventually all
states will need this type of security if drivers are
expected to use them.