Tiredness in traffic – risks & reducing tiredness

Tiredness is an indication that your body needs to recuperate in order for all your senses to function optimally.

A sleepless night is comparable to a blood alcohol level of around 0.8 per mille. The penalty for driving when obviously tired is the same as for drunk driving.

Causes of tiredness

• Exhaustion.
• Sleep deprivation.
• Alcohol, drugs and certain medications.
• Monotony:
  • Wide, long and straight uninterrupted roads.
  • Engine noise.
  • Noise from the tyres.

Dangers and risks associated with tiredness

Nearly all senses and abilities are impaired. The most serious impairments in terms of traffic are the following:

• Poorer concentration.
• Loss of coordination.
• It takes longer to perceive things (some things you fail to notice at all).
• Poor decision-making skills.
• Reaction time and reflexes become slower.
• Difficulty maintaining a steady course and speed.

Indications of tiredness

• Blurred vision.
• Problems concentrating and thinking clearly.
• Dry mouth.
• Frequent yawning.
• Feeling cold.
• Difficulty maintaining your speed.
• Head feels heavy.
• Overreacting.
• Muscle relaxation.
• Optical illusions.
• Difficulty keeping your eyes open.

Avoid tiredness

• Drive when rested.
• Make sure the car is not too warm.
• Take a break after driving for about one hour (get out of the car).
• Do not eat heavy foods (meat etc.).

Reduce tiredness

The best and only right way

• Have a long sleep.

Reducing tiredness temporarily

• Short nap (no less than 15 minutes).
• Take a break/stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
• Coffee or other forms of caffeine can have the same effect as a 20-minute nap.

Tiredness glossary

• Microsleeping: When you nod off and wake up almost immediately with a jerk of the head. Microsleeping lasts for a very short period of time, often less than a second.
• Sleep apnoea: Breathing problems that disrupt your sleep at night. The lack of sleep resulting from this issue leads to a significantly higher risk of tiredness-related traffic accidents.
• Nap: Light and short sleep (15–30 minutes).

Statistics on tiredness

• Most tiredness-related accidents occur between 02.00 and 05.00.
• Single-vehicle accidents are the most common type of tiredness-related accident.
• 40% of single-vehicle accidents outside of built-up areas occur at night or dawn.
• The risk of accidents increases with proximity to your destination, as you relax thinking that you are almost there.

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