Drowsy Driving: A Major Threat to Traffic Safety
Drowsy driving poses a significant risk to road safety, with thousands of fatalities and crashes attributed to this dangerous behavior annually. Lack of sleep, interrupted sleep, chronic sleep debt, and other factors increase the likelihood of fatigue-related accidents. Understanding the causes and consequences of drowsy driving is crucial in preventing potential tragedies on the road.
Download Presentation
![](/assets/img/so-down.gif)
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Drowsy Driving Effects Traffic Safety Stay Awake! Stay Alive! Maureen Kozakiewicz Highway Safety Representative NYS Governor s Traffic Safety Committee
4 Ds = Impaired Driving Drowsy Drunk Driving Drugged Distracted
Your body requires 3 things: Water Food Sleep
Vital Role of Sleep and Safety Can you live without it? How much sleep do you require? How do you feel without sleep?
Your Body Has a strong need for sleep When you withhold sleep what happens? Your brain will make you sleep No matter the time of day Or the action you may be involved in Sleep
1 in 3 Drivers (31.5%) Admitted to drowsy driving within the last 30 days! AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety 2015 Traffic Safety Culture Index
Drowsy Driving 5,000 8,000 fatalities annually 1.2 million crashes *NHTSA estimates
Drowsy Driving Identifiable Predictable Preventable
What is Drowsy Driving? Drowsy driving is an elusive behavior which is difficult to measure objectively It s a profound impairment which mimics alcohol-impairment
Reasons Sleep loss from too little sleep Interruption or fragmented sleep Chronic sleep debt Circadian factors associated with driving patterns or work schedules Undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders Time spend on a task Use of sedating medications (or alcohol) Any one of these factors or a cumulative effect or combination of these factors increase the risk for fatigued-related crashes
Predictable Depending on each person, your body s internal clock (called circadian rhythm) signals sleep twice a day: bedtime siesta in afternoon
Predictable The cycle of sunlight and darkness also affects our circadian rhythm, in addition to the length of time that you ve been awake the longer you stay awake, the more you need to sleep.
LACK OF SLEEP affects on safety Slower reaction times Impaired attention, mental processing, judgment & decision making Increased levels of risk taking More frequent blinking/eye closure Deficits in cognitive performance Memory impairment Attention failure Loss of visual awareness Use of any type of drugs and medications COMPOUNDS
Crash Data Characteristics Occurs late at night or early morning hours or mid afternoon Injuries tend to be serious or fatal Involves single vehicles leaving roadway Occurs on high speed roadways, long stretches of road Involves driver traveling alone No evidence of braking no skid marks nor evasive maneuvers evident
Who is Likely to Drive Drowsy? Males Teens and young adults College students New parents Shift and night workers EMS and Law Enforcement Health care workers Commercial motor vehicle operators People with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders
Wake Up Call! Understanding Drowsy Driving and What States Can Do 2016
Recognize the Warning Signs Drifting from lane to lane Repeated yawning or rubbing your eyes Difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open Difficulty keeping your head up Can t remember the last few miles driven Missing traffic signals or driving past exit/turn Tailgating fender benders Asking yourself, How did I get here? Driving on the rumble strips or shoulder Feeling irritable or restless
Drowsy Driving Identifiable Predictable Preventable
Education Awareness Action Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury Sleep affects health, decision making, memory, performance, concentration and safety Train to recognize signs of drowsy driving Prevention is vital
Be responsible & do your part !
Do Your Part to Avoid Drowsy Driving If you feel drowsy, pull over in well lit rest area take 20 nap Start your trip well rested. Get enough sleep every night Avoid driving when you have a sleep deficit Avoid driving between midnight and 7 am and in the mid afternoon (circadian rhythm)
Do not drive alone Make regular stops every 100 miles or 2 hours Switch drivers Caffeine doesn t replace sleep takes 30 mins feel affect
While operating a vehicle while drowsy is not a violation of the VTL law, it could result in serious injury or death should a crash occur. A crash that occurs as a result of driver fatigue may be cause for DMV to require a medical review of your driver s license.
4 Ds = Impaired Driving Drowsy Drunk Driving Drugged Distracted
Recognize the dangers and STOP drowsy driving STAY AWAKE! STAY ALIVE!