Fight Drowsy Driving

(Excerpted from Membership Advantage, Fall 2008, National Safety Council)

Facts and Fiction About Sleep

Many people have misconceptions about sleep, which NSF dispels:

Caffeine can overcome drowsiness while driving. Only sleep can truly overcome drowsiness. Caffeine can make you feel more alert, but the results are temporary. People who take stimulants while severely sleep-deprived are likely to have “micro sleeps”, which are essentially four- to- five - second naps.  A vehicle traveling 55 mph can cover more than 100 yards in four to five seconds – plenty of time to have an accident.

I’m a safe driver so it doesn’t matter if I am sleepy.  The only safe driver is an alert one. When fatigued, even the best drivers become confused and use poor judgment.

I can’t take naps.  Despite the fact that many people insist they cannot nap, sleep -deprived individuals usually can do so easily if they give themselves a chance.  Even if you think you can’t nap, pull over and recline for 15 minutes – it is likely you will be able to fall asleep.  Always be sure to so safely, in busy areas with your car doors locked.

I can tell when I am going to fall asleep.   While most people feel they can control and predict when they are about to fall asleep, they cannot.  A drowsy person can fall asleep without even being aware of it.  People are also unable to tell how long they have been asleep.  It only takes a few seconds of sleep on the road to cause a major accident.