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| Be Alert When You Drive | ||
Driver Fatigue
It's one of the most unnerving experiences in driving: You've been on the road a while. The highway seems endless -- long, smooth, monotonous. The car interior is warm. You're tired. The radio isn't holding your attention, and neither is the driving. You stare straight ahead, at miles and miles of road, as you start to feel your shoulders sag, and your eyes slowly ... start to ... close.
Abruptly, you open
your eyes, jerk up in your seat. You've started to drift out of your
lane, or maybe even off the road. You steer your car back into the
lane, take a few deep breaths, and realize, fearfully, what just happened.
You were asleep. Fatigue on the road can be a killer. It happens frequently on long drives, especially long night drives. You may have recognized some warning signs of fatigue in the foregoing scenario. Other signs of fatigue include back tension, burning eyes, shallow breathing, inattentiveness, and any kind of erratic driving, such as drifting, abnormal speed, tailgating, or failure to obey traffic signs. The single greatest cause of fatigue is alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a depressant, and a driver doesn't have to be drunk to fall asleep at the wheel. Even one drink can be enough to induce fatigue. ![]() Another culprit is the nature of modern highway driving. Most car interiors have comfortable, cushioned seats in quiet, carpeted, temperature-regulated environments. Many vehicles have "cruise control." Most major roads have been engineered to eliminate sharp curves, hills and bumps. Ironically, these designs for comfort contribute to falling asleep at the wheel. Additionally, dull landscapes, the droning of tires and engines, and the repetitive patterns of oncoming headlights, trees, poles and white lines can lead to a dangerous, trance-like state known as "highway hypnosis," which deadens drivers' senses and slows their reaction time. Fatigue behind the wheel is a very real danger, even if you've never experienced it firsthand. The following tips for staying awake while you're driving: ![]() Watch
your posture. Drive with your head up and your shoulders back. Tuck
your buttocks against the seat back. Legs should not be fully extended,
but flexed at about a 45 degree angle. Safe driving demands your full attention. If you feel your eyelids getting heavy, then your next actions may not simply determine whether you'll stay awake. They might determine whether you'll stay alive ! |
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