Fight the silent killer on our roads – driver fatigue

Three leading causes of fatalities on roads globally are alcohol consumption, speed, and fatigue.

Driver drowsiness is frequently referred to as the ‘silent killer’ because it develops slowly, and drivers often try to combat it by rolling down their windows or turning up their music, sometimes with disastrous consequences.

According to a 2022 study published in the Nature and Science of Sleep journal, a driver who gets less than five hours of sleep is just as likely to be in a car accident as one who is over the legal drinking limit.

To compound the matter, in a collision, we can test for alcohol consumption but not for fatigue.

However, this might soon change. A new blood test developed by Australian researchers at Monash University can identify driver sleepiness.

One of the main issues is that many drivers do not know when they are drowsy. Although weariness develops gradually, it can be fatal. An exhausted driver blinks their eyes more frequently than usual. Typically, a quick blink lasts between 300 and 400 milliseconds, but when fatigue sets in, the blink gets longer and may even turn into a micro nap. Imagine this occurring while a driver travels 120km/h on a highway, assuming they adhere to the speed limit.

Other signs of driver fatigue are decreased alertness, slow reactions, lane swerving, shallow breathing and burning eyes.

The Driver Monitoring system, which the auto industry is developing, will hopefully be standard in all new vehicles one day. When the system notices the driver is tiring, it watches them and issues warnings. These systems are referred to as Attention Assist by Mercedes-Benz, Driver Condition Monitor by Land Rover, and Driver Alert by Volvo.

Tips to help you stay alert while driving:

• You will not stay awake by opening a window or increasing the volume of your music. The best course of action is to park your car in a secure area and take a nap.

• Plan your travel during the day if it will be a long drive.

• If feasible, take a partner so you can alternate driving.

• Do not slump in your seat but sit up straight.

• Keep the car’s interior cool.

• Take regular breaks for fresh air, stretch your body, and rest.

• Have a caffeinated beverage.

• When you drive, do not concentrate solely on the object ahead.

In SA, the number of traffic fatalities and accidents is unacceptably high. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure you have roadside assistance insurance and can get it in the case of an emergency.

• Information from MotorHappy