Drowsy driving is responsible for many accidents resulting in serious injuries and deaths, which could be avoided if fewer people drove while sleepy.
Therefore, in this article, we will highlight the statistics compiled by the World Health Organization in different countries to understand the dangers of drowsy driving and how to avoid falling asleep while driving.
What is Drowsy Driving?
Drowsy driving is similar to driving under the effects of alcohol. When a driver feels sleepy, they may fall asleep for a few seconds and lose focus, thereby impeding their reactions and weakening their ability to control cognitive functions.
Microsleeps while driving
While driving, the driver may feel tired, which can cause him to start feeling sleepy and even fall asleep for a few seconds. In the driver’s opinion, this period or seconds may seem very short, but in fact, it is enough time for a serious accident to occur that could lead to death.
There is no definitive way to determine whether accidents are caused by drowsiness or other factors. Still, the World Health Organization has published studies to estimate the percentage of drivers who experience drowsiness or fatigue while driving.
Risk evaluation of traffic accidents associated with drowsy driving
According to the results compiled and published by the World Health Organization, drowsiness and sleep loss were significant factors contributing to traffic accidents.
In Japan, the highest rate of drowsiness while driving was 58%.
In France, the lowest rate was 1.1%.
In Saudi Arabia, the strongest indicator of falling asleep while driving was being a male driver. It appeared that 28% of drivers had experienced at least one accident due to uncontrollable drowsiness.
10 tips to avoid drowsy driving
There are several practices drivers can adopt to avoid drowsiness or accidents caused by tiredness.
Have a good rest
The night before your drive, make sure you get enough rest and improve your sleep quality. Avoid staying up late or sleeping only a few hours before driving.
Have a cup of coffee
Drink something with caffeine, not necessarily coffee. This will improve your concentration, but don’t rely on it as it only lasts for a few hours.
Avoid heavy meals
After eating a heavy meal, a person feels sleepy and needs to rest; therefore, try not to eat too much or eat fatty foods before driving.
Bring a friend
Having a companion makes driving safer even if you feel drowsy, as he or she can keep you awake.
If they are a good driver, you can take turns driving.
Tricks to stay awake
You can use some tricks to stay awake, such as turning on the radio or air conditioner to distract yourself more.
Take a break
If you are driving long distances, it is best to take a break between each period or each distance. You can set this distance for yourself, for example, after every 200 km, you can take a break, or after every two hours.
Try stretching exercises
If you feel drowsy, you can get out of the car and stretch your arms and legs, and walk for a bit.
Drink water
Drinking water helps keep the body hydrated and thus energized when drinking water regularly.
Use the available safety systems
Before starting the trip or driving, it is essential to check the safety devices in the car and ensure that the driver is properly secured by wearing a seatbelt.
Modern cars are also equipped with the latest technology that detects when the driver is drowsy and alerts them with sound signals.
Open the window
Sometimes an air conditioner causes drowsiness and relaxation, so natural air is better in this case. It is necessary to open the window and breathe fresh air to increase concentration and activity.
Traffic safety systems alert drivers
Some traffic safety systems alert drivers and help them regain their attention to the road, such as cat’s eyes that emit a sound and vibration when a car passes over them, helping to alert the driver.
Solar Traffic Signs also emit a flashing warning signal that ranges from 40 to 60 flashes per minute.
Conclusion: You can learn about the traffic safety systems’ features on the products page