Tip Sheet: Drowsy Driving Is Dangerous Driving

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  The last thing a truck driver needs is to doze off while at the wheel. Drowsy driving creates a dangerous collision course with injury and death. When driving at 60 miles per hour, each second a rig covers the length of a basketball court-that's nearly 100 feet. Drowsiness affects a driver much like alcohol and drugs. It slows overall reaction time because of reduced hand-eye coordination, vision, judgement and situational awareness. Nodding off for just a second or two can end in a deadly crash. The good news is that drowsy driving is entirely preventable. When you feel sleepy it's time find a rest area or not get in the truck in the first place. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy driving crashes: Often occur between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon-when our internal clock takes a natural dip in the rhythm that regulates sleep; Often happen on long stretches of roadway, such as rural roads and major highways, where the monotony can lull a drowsy driver to sleep. Signs you're following a drowsy driver include: Distracted driving. Following too closely. Lack of braking. Going over the center line. Failure to yield right-of-way to other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Disregarding signals (e.g., stop signs, red lights, yield signs, turn signals, etc.). TIPS TO LIVE BY: When you're on the road: Take a break: About every two hours or 100 miles. Take a nap: Just 20 minutes can help you stay alert. Avoid tricks: Smoking, caffeinated drinks, rolling down the window, turning up the radio-all these are just "tricks" that really don't work in the long run. If you MUST: If you must drive during peak sleepy periods, stay alert for drowsiness signs, such as crossing center lines or hitting the rumble strip, especially when alone. Before you go-Get good sleep: You need about seven to eight hours before getting behind the wheel. Read the labels: Avoid medications that cause drowsiness as a side effect. Know the signs: These are frequent yawning, heavy eyes, and blurred vision. If you're drowsy, often, it may signal a serious health condition, like sleep apnea or heart disease. Your good health matters: No alcohol before driving, and follow a healthy lifestyle. The statistics don't lie: Avoid driving at peak sleepiness periods, from midnight - 6 a.m. and late afternoon. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Circadian Rhythm Occupational Health Preventive Medicine Safety Sleep Sleep Initiation And Maintenance Disorders Staff Development
• Keywords:
  Circadian Rhythms Equipment Operators Hazards Injuries Injury Prevention Preventive Measures Safety Education Safety Equipment Safety Measures Safety Practices Sleep Deprivation Sleep Disorders Training Truck Drivers Trucking

  More +
• Publisher:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Fact Sheet
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20061666
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 90-151-2020, 2020 Dec; :1
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Tip sheet: drowsy driving is dangerous driving
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:809d1db7a4c51b1576dbfd119fce4e3c32f85254fc328e1b13808055803e788ee983a9c05375e59124b407f66ed05a37473debde99e2a72830b317955aa179ba
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225117/cdc_225117_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 606.73 KB ]