The Costs, Risks, and
Prevention of Driver Fatigue
THE DANGERS OF DROWSY DRIVING©
© National Sleep Foundation
Presented on behalf of Texas Department of Transportation
This presentation is a modification of one
created and copyrighted by the National Sleep
Foundation. Formatting and highlighting have
been changed and images added for local
audiences.
© National Sleep Foundation
Overview
The scope of the problem
The characteristics of drowsy driving
Are you at risk?
Effects of sleepiness and fatigue
Reducing your risk
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How Big is The Problem of Drowsy Driving?
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Federal Crash Statistics
5,505,000crashes annually 72,000 (1.3%) of those were related to drowsy driving.
Of the 30,797 fatal crashes 730 (2.4%) were caused by drowsy driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates in a 2011 report:
$12.5 billion in monetary losses (Knipling 1995)
Another 1 million crashes are linked to inattention, which increases with fatigue (Wang 1996)
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Why These Statistics are Conservative:
Only half of crashes are reported (Miller 1991)
State reporting practices are inconsistent. Every state currently addresses fatigue and/or sleepiness in some way in their crash report forms. However, the codes are inconsistent and two states (Missouri and Wisconsin) do not have specific codes for fatigue and/or fell asleep.
Most police are not trained to detect fatigue.
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Why These Statistics are Conservative:
No objective measurement exists (e.g., blood test)
Self-reporting tends to be inaccurate
Drowsiness is often linked to other factors in crashes (e.g., alcohol, drugs), but not reported
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Other Statistics
416,000 - drivers have been involved in a fatigue-related crash in the past 5 years.
According to the Foundation's 2009 Sleep in America poll, about one-third (28%) of Americans admitted that they have fallen asleep behind the wheel within the past year.
8% in the last 6 months.
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RECENCY OF NODDING OFF AT WHEEL
Thinking of the most recenttime that you fell asleep ornodded off even for amoment while driving, howlong ago was that?
Total Male Female 16-20 21-29 30-45 46-64 65+
Have fallen asleep while driving 1505 906 599 44 214 526 511 203
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What are the Characteristics of Drowsy Driving Crashes?
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Characteristics of Drowsy Driving Crashes
Most happen between midnight –6:00am and in the midafternoon (circadian dip)
The driver is alone and more likely to be male
A single vehicle drifts off the road and hits a stationary object
(Knipling 1994, McCartt 1996, Pack 1995)
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Characteristics of Drowsy Driving Crashes
Most are rear-end or head-oncollisions
There is no evidence of braking or evasive maneuvers
Many involve serious injuries and/or fatalities
(Knipling 1994, McCartt 1996, Pack 1995)
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Are You At Risk?
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Are You At Risk?
Before you drive, check to see if you are:
Sleep-deprived or fatigued.
Suffering from insomnia, poor quality sleep, or a sleep debt.
Driving long distances without proper rest breaks.
Driving through the night, midafternoon or when you would normally be asleep.
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Are You At Risk? (cont.)
Taking sedating medications.
Working more than 60 hours a week.
Working more than one job or your main job involves shift work.
Drinking even small amounts of alcohol.
Driving alone or on a long, rural, dark or boring road.
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Special At-Risk Groups Include:
Young people.
Shift workers.
Commercial drivers.
People with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders.
Business travelers.
The elderly.
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The Effects of Sleepiness and Fatigue
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The Effects of Sleepiness and Fatigue
Impaired reaction time, judgment and vision
Problems with information processing and short-term memory
Decreased performance, vigilance and motivation
Increased moodiness and aggressive behaviors
Increased “microsleeps” – brief (2-3 seconds) sleep episodes
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Fatigue vs. Alcohol
18 hours sustained wakefulness produces performance impairment = .05% BAC
24 hours = .10% BAC(Dawson & Reid, 1997; Williamson & Feyer, 2000).
People with mild to moderate untreated sleep apnea performed worse than those with a 0.06% BAC (Powell 1999)
On 4 hours sleep, 1 beer
can have the impact of a
six-pack.
(Roehrs et al. 1994)
© National Sleep Foundation
Common Sleep Problems
Chronic or short-term insomnia (more than 50% of all U.S. adults)
Snoring (90 million Americans snore, 37 million habitually)
Sleep Apnea (18 million Americans)
2-7x increased driving risk
Restless Legs Syndrome (2%-15%)
Narcolepsy (1 in every 2,000 Americans)
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How To Reduce Your Risk
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Learn The Warning Signs of Fatigue
Difficulty focusing orkeeping eyes open
Trouble keeping yourhead up
Yawning repeatedly
Wandering,disconnectedthoughts.
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Learn The Warning Signs of Fatigue
Feeling restless or irritable.
Trouble rememberingthe last few miles.
Drifting from your lane.
Tailgating or missing traffic signs or exits.
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Before A Trip
Get a good night’s sleep, preferably 8 hours.
Schedule breaks every 100 miles or 2 hours during long trips.
Plan to travel with a companion to help watch for the signs of fatigue and share driving.
Avoid alcohol and sedating medications
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Before A Trip
Consult your physician or local sleep disorder center if you are experiencing frequent daytime sleepiness or having difficulty sleeping at night
For short trips such as driving home from work, take a nap or drink caffeinebefore leaving
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Countermeasures While Driving
Watch for signs of fatigue
Stop driving and assess your condition
Pull off the road at a safe place and take a short “power” nap
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Countermeasures While Driving
Let a passenger take over the driving
Consume caffeine
Be aware of shoulder rumble strips
DO NOT rely on “old tricks” or “drowsy driving devices”
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Remember to… Maximize Your Sleep &
Minimize Your Risks
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Summary
Drowsy driving is a major problem.
Fatigue is an impairment like alcohol or drugs.
Anyone can be at risk at a given time, but there are specific groups that have a higher risk.
Simple and effective ways to combat drowsy driving exist.
Practice good sleep habits and remember to
Drive Alert…Arrive Alive
© National Sleep Foundation
For More Information Contact:
National Sleep Foundation1522 K Street, NW, Suite 500Washington, DC 20005or visit www.sleepfoundation.org
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
http://www.nhtsa.gov