DRIVER FATIGUE

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• DRIVER FATIGUE

2
Coffee overcomes the effects of drowsiness while
driving. (T or F)

• FALSE. Stimulants are no substitute for
  sleep. Drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee
  or cola, can help you feel more alert however,
  the effects only last for a short time.

3
I can tell when I'm going to go to fall asleep.
(T or F)

• FALSE. Sleep is not voluntary. If you're
  drowsy, you can fall asleep and never even know
  it. You cannot tell how long you've been asleep.

4
Rolling down my window or singing along with the
radio will keep me awake. (T or F)

• FALSE. An open window or the radio has no
  lasting effect on a persons ability to stay
  awake.

5
I am a safe driver so it does not matter if I am
sleepy. (T or F)

• FALSE. The only safe driver is an alert
  driver. Even the safest drivers become confused
  and use poor judgment when they are sleepy.

6
You can stockpile sleep on the weekends. (T or
F)

• FALSE. Sleep is not money. You can't save it
  up ahead of time and you can't borrow it. But,
  just as with money, you can go into debt.

7
Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep
each night. (T or F)

• TRUE. The average person needs seven or eight
  hours of sleep a night. If you go to bed late and
  wake up early to an alarm clock, you probably are
  building a sleep debt.

8
Being sleepy makes you misperceive
things. (T or F)

• TRUE. One of the warning signs of a drowsy
  driver is misjudging surroundings.

9
Young people need less sleep.
(T or F)

• FALSE. Young people need more sleep than
  adults. Males under 25 are at the greatest risk
  of falling asleep. Half of the victims of
  fatigue-related crashes are under 25.

10
Wandering, disconnected thoughts are warning
signs of driver fatigue. (T or F)

• TRUE. If you are driving and your thoughts
  begin to wander, it is time to pull over and take
  a break.

11
Little green men in the middle of the road may
mean the driver is too tired to drive. (T or F)

• TRUE. Seeing things that are not there is a
  good indication it is time to stop driving and
  take a rest.

12
On a long trip, the driver should never take a
break and try to arrive at the destination as
quickly as possible. (T or F)

• FALSE. Driving, especially for long
  distances, reveals a drivers true level of
  sleepiness. To be safe, drivers should take a
  break every three hours.

13
A micro sleep lasts four or five seconds. (T or
F)

• TRUE. During a "micro sleep" of four or five
  seconds, a car can travel 100 yards, plenty of
  time to cause a serious crash.

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Driver Responsibilities

• Operate bus safely.
• Keep passengers safe.
• Be alert.
• React quickly.
• Expect unexpected.

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Just like drugs or alcohol, sleepiness

• Slows reaction time.
• Decreases awareness.
• Impairs judgment.
• Fatal when driving.

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• 37 of drivers have nodded off for at least a
  moment or fallen asleep while driving at least
  once in their driving career.
• 8 of drivers have done so in the past six
  months.

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What is driver fatigue?

• It is the general term used to describe the
  experience of feeling sleepy, tired, or exhausted
  when driving a vehicle.

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Fatigue on the road can be a killer.

• Did you forget the last mile you drove?
• You cannot recall the last milepost marker you
  passed?
• Have you been tailgating?
• Are you changing lanes frequently for no apparent
  reason?

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Fatigue on the road can be a killer cont

• Are you driving slow in the high speed lane?
• Are you driving fast in the slow lane?
• Did you roll down your windows for some fresh
  air?
• In the last hour, did you calculate the exact
  time that you would be back home?
• Are you constantly shifting in your seat?

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Fatigue on the road can be a killer cont

• Are the "4-wheelers" getting on your nerves? Are
  you driving fast in the slow lane?
• Did you forget to turn off your turn signals from
  the last lane change?
• Have you told yourself in the last hour, "This
  will be the last trip?"
• Can you remember the color of the last warning
  sign?

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Fatigue on the road can be a killer cont

• Can you remember the color of the last 4-wheeler
  that passed you?
• Are on-coming headlights bothering you?
• Are you driving on the roadway striping (white
  lines)?
• Are you braking for no apparent reason?
• Are your eyes watery and red (blood-shot)?

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Fatigue on the road can be a killer cont

• Are you unable to focus clearly?
• Are you difficult to get along withcranky,
  irritable?
• Do you need the use of outside stimulation (i.e.,
  medicine, drugs) to stay alert?
• Do you feel compelled to pick up unauthorized
  passengers for companionship?

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How do you recognize driver fatigue?

• It is Physiological (the way a particular body or
  organism works )and it is Psychological (relating
  to the mind or mental processes).
• Decreases ability to judge ones own level of
  tiredness.
• Symptoms vary between driver.

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Symptoms May Include

• Heavy eyelids.
• Tired or sore eyes.
• Poor concentration.
• Yawning.
• Restlessness.
• Drowsiness.
• Slow reaction.

• Boredom.
• Feeling irritable.
• Missing road signs.
• Having difficulty staying in the lane/over
  steering.
• Succumbing to micro sleeps.

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High-risk times for fatigue-related crashes are

• Night time and early morning
• 10 p.m.6 a.m.
• Afternoon 1 p.m3 p.m.

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How can you prevent driver fatigue-related
fatalities?

• Good nights sleep.
• Pull over and stop.
• Napping.
• Nutrition.
• Stay hydrated.

• Affects of medication.
• Adjust environment.
• Radio usage.
• Do not use cruise control.

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Remember, once fatigue sets insleep is the only
cure!
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Q. What is Driver Fatigue?

• A. It is the general term used to
  describe the experience of feeling sleepy,
  tired or exhausted when driving a vehicle.

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Q. Describe three signs of fatigue.

• A. Heavy eyelids, tired or sore eyes, poor
  concentration, yawning, restlessness, drowsiness,
  slow reaction, boredom, feeling irritable,
  missing road signs, having difficulty staying in
  the lane/oversteering, succumbing to micro
  sleeps.

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Q. What are the high-risk times for
fatigue-related crashes?

• A. Night time and early morning
• Nighttime and early morning
• 10 p.m6 a.m.
• Afternoon 1 p.m.3 p.m.
•  

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Q. What are some things you can do to prevent
driver fatigue-related fatalities?

• A. Get a good nights sleep.
• Pull over and stop.
• Napping.
• Nutrition.
• Stay Hydrated.
•  

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Remember, once fatigue sets insleep is the only
cure!

• THE END