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The Problem of Driver Fatigue

6th March 2018 by Mark Lanario

the problem of driver fatigue

 

 

The problem of driver fatigue is difficult to address as many collisions that are driver fatigue related are blamed on other causes.

However, RoSPA estimates that driver fatigue may be a contributory factor in up to 20% of collisions.

In addition fatigue related road collisions are about 50% more likely to result in death or serious injury. The symptoms of fatigue, such as lack of alertness are most likely to cause issues on monotonous high speed roads like Motorways; where the consequences of a collision are serious, due to the forces involved in high speed collisions.

The definition of fatigue is generally considered to be a decline in mental and/or physical performance that results from prolonged mental or physical exertion, sleep deprivation and or disruption of the body’s internal clock.

There is a difference between fatigue and tiredness, however the medical definition and difference is unimportant; as the potential consequences are the same when combined with driving.

Fatigue increases reaction times, reduces concentration, alertness, and vigilance, all essential to the safe of performance attention based activities like driving.

Safe decisions are more difficult to make when we are fatigued. Fatigue can also cause stress, which can induce negative driving attitudes, and lead to unwarranted behaviour.

All drivers have at some time have felt sleepy whilst at the wheel, and are totally aware of the onset of tiredness. Some make a conscious decision to stop, take a break. Some decide to push on, and it is thought that those that do this have underestimated the risks involved.

Fatigue related road crashes are most likely to happen:

  • On monotonous roads such as motorways; where higher speeds are involved
  • When driving at a time when normally asleep, especially in the small hours
  • If taking medicines that cause drowsiness, such as Antihistamines
  • After long working hours, without rest, especially night shifts, or where shifts have been switched
  • If suffering from a sleep disorder

Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders often go undiagnosed, which is particularly dangerous.

One of the reasons for this is that if driver’s suspect that something is not right with their physiology, they fear the potential of losing their drivers licence. Those suffering from a sleep disorder, whether diagnosed or not, are at greater risk, from falling asleep at the wheel. Its has been estimated that that drivers, suffering from a sleeping disorder, are between 6 and 15 times more likely to have a road traffic accident than those without the condition.

The Problem of Driver Fatigue: How to Avoid Falling Asleep at the Wheel

Rule 91 of the Highway Code gives some advice.

Driving when you are tired greatly increases your accident risk. To minimise this risk:

  • Make sure you are fit to drive. Do not begin a journey if you are tired. Get a good night’s sleep before embarking on a long journey
  • Avoid undertaking long journeys between midnight and 6am, when natural alertness is at a minimum
  • Plan your journey to take sufficient breaks. A minimum break of at least 15 minutes  after every two hours of driving is recommended
  • If you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place. Do not stop on the hard shoulder of a Motorway
  • The most effective ways to counter sleepiness are to drink, for example, two cups of caffeinated coffee and to take a short nap (up to 15 minutes)*

Drivers that press on, following the onset of fatigue, often try in vain the put the situation right. Most of the measures that they employ to keep themselves awake/alert, simply don’t work.

An emergency* measure is to find somewhere safe to stop, take two caffeine drinks, and have a nap for at least 15 minutes to help to reduce sleepiness. These measures can only ever be a temporary solution, as sleepiness will return if the driver does not stop driving quite quickly afterwards.

As always, the safest option is for drivers to avoid driving when tired.

The problem of driver fatigue can affect any of us, so be on your guard.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: driver fatigue, Driving, driving when tired, highway code, RoSPA

Re Testing The Over 70S: Bridge Too Far?

7th September 2017 by Mark Lanario

 

 

 

 

Once we have passed a Driving Test and gained a Driving Licence, it’s for life, right?

It’s certainly how we feel and all of us would get somewhat hot under the collar if the “system” attempts to makes changes that could take it from us!!

Under the present system, those of us over 70 are required to self -certify fitness the drive every 3 years to retain their driving licences.

The DFT has stated that older drivers are no more unsafe than anyone else on the road, however every now and again, the issue of re testing the over 70s raises its ugly head.

Much of this comes from the fact that older drivers are an easy stereotypical target/group. You know “the old man crashed his car”. You don’t hear, the 30-42 year old crashed his car, age is not usually mentioned.

Although stereotypically an easy group to target, politically very difficult as we have a growing retired population then tend to turn up to vote!

Surely rather than targeting age groups, the authorities should penalise those that do represent an increased risk, and retest them regardless of age.

Perhaps those that accumulate 6 points over 2 years?

Oh, now that will put the cat among the pigeons!!

 

Have a read and see what you think; enjoy.

 

http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/news/southport-west-lancs/campaign-elderly-drivers-re-tested-12902720

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Driving, driving licence, driving test

Drug Driving: Hay fever Tablets!!

4th July 2017 by Mark Lanario

Here is an interesting article on drug driving that we spotted.

Since March 15 UK Police have been able to use an on the spot saliva test to detect illegal drugs in the bodily systems of motorists. If a positive test is taken, the motorist can be hauled off to the Police Station and a blood or urine sample taken to confirm the presence of the illegal substance.

However in the article, the question surrounding impairment by legal drugs is raised. So if a motorist is found to be impaired by the presence of say a legal anti Hayfever course of tablets………..the consequences could be the same. As we know, advice on the packaging of such preparations often says ” do not drive or operate heavy machinery” etc.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-4617856/Hay-fever-sufferers-exceed-drug-drive-limits.html

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Driving, driving licence, driving test, drug driving, motorist

Dangerous Driving: Driver Escapes Jail

1st July 2017 by Mark Lanario

Dangerous Driving is a Statutory Offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

A person is to be regarded as driving dangerously for the purposes of sections 1 and 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 if:

  • the way he/she drives falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, and it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous; or
  • if it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving the vehicle in its current state (for the purpose of the determination of which regard may be had to anything attached to or carried on or in it, and to the manner in which it is attached or carried) would be dangerous.

Check out this article, where tells the story of a female driver that drives along the offside carriageway hard shoulder at high speed, during an overtaking manoeuvre. The dash cam of another vehicle gives all of the detail needed.

The driver had recently passed her driving test and was on probation.

The Judge said that it was the worst driving that he had ever seen, sentencing her to 4 months in jail, suspended for 2 years.

Check out the video!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-40360058

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Driving, driving licence, driving license, driving test, new driver act

Theory Test: Don’t Do It !

13th June 2017 by Mark Lanario

Obtaining a Full Drivers Licence is important for all sorts of reasons, however there is a right way and a wrong way to go about getting one!

We spotted this article, which tells the story of a learner driver that decided to circumvent the study element involved in taking the theory test and instead attempted to have the answers beamed to his ears via a Bluetooth device.

Apparently the DVSA has come found that fraudsters use all sorts of devious electronic devices to try and cheat the system.

Well for the chap in the story, it’s over and he has been jailed. Lets see of he can get ” beamed” out of there!

 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/learner-driver-jailed-after-being-7948394

 

Enjoy

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Driving, driving test centre, DVSA, full driving license

Driverless Cars: Most Amusing

6th June 2017 by Mark Lanario

There has been much talk in the tech magazines re the driverless car concept.

Those of us that are of a certain age can cast our minds back 35-40 years to a programme called ” Tomorrow’s World” which was actually very entertaining. It featured future technology, which it believed would become part of peoples everyday lives.

Most of it, such as the robot that would clean your house, going up and down stairs, did not make it to reality.

Back to driverless cars, whilst the technology is in theory available small scale, do ” they” really believe that in the next 20 years it obviate the need for a human driver? The technology is not even used on trains, which run on rails!!

Anyway we have a great little article here for you to read; is it really ” Tomorrows World”?

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/06/05/babies-born-today-may-never-need-learn-drive-saysaxa-uk-chief/

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: automotive technology, driverless cars, Driving

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