LANGLEY AFB, VA. –
Driver fatigue is a major contributor to the nation's vehicle crashes each year.
Thirty-seven percent of the driving population has had at least a moment of falling asleep behind the wheel.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates there are more than 100,000 vehicle accidents each year that are directly contributed to driver fatigue.
These accidents result in more than 1,500 fatalities, 71,000 injuries and cost the United States an estimated $12.5 billion in damage each year.
The NHTSA notes, however, these figures can go significantly higher, as verifying fatigue as the direct cause of an accident can often be difficult to determine.
Recent studies have compared the effects of fatigue driving to those of driving while intoxicated.
These studies have shown that 17 hours of sleeplessness compares to that of someone with a blood alcohol content of 0.05; 24 hours of sleeplessness raises the BAC comparison to 0.10.
This level would be considered intoxication in all 50 states. Many states have begun passing laws against fatigue driving, making the penalties the same as those for given for driving under the influence.
Symptoms of fatigue driving include, but are not limited to:
-Yawning
-Feeling tired
-Inattention
-Inability to stay within the lines
-Slow reaction time
-Impaired judgment/vision
-Not being able to remember the last several miles driven
Although there are several ways people try to overcome fatigue (i.e. drinking coffee, opening the window, splashing cold water on your face, etc.) the only way to safely prevent driver fatigue is the following:
-Ensure a good night's sleep (seven to eight hours) prior to departure
-Drive long trips with a companion and alternate drivers
-Schedule regular stops every 100 miles or two hours
-Avoid drinking alcohol and taking medications that impair performance
Bottom line: 13 percent of all vehicle fatalities involving military personnel are contributed to fatigue.