An American doctor reminds us that lack of sleep is the cause of many car accidents and shares his advice for combating drowsiness at the wheel.
- From the first signs of drowsiness, the risks of having an accident are multiplied by 3 or 4, according to road safety.
- To avoid falling asleep at the wheel, it is essential to not have a sleep debt before hitting the road for your vacation.
- It is essential to stop to change drivers or take a 15-minute break as soon as you feel tired.
For many French people, vacations are synonymous with long car journeys… and fatigue can quickly set in along the way. However, drowsiness, which manifests itself by difficulty staying awake, leads to periods of micro-sleeps of 1 to 4 seconds that can be extremely dangerous while driving. Dr. Philip Alapat, a specialist in sleep disorders at Baylor College of Medicine, reminds us of the importance of getting enough sleep and the precautions to take before getting on the road.
Driving Safely: Avoiding Sleep Debt
Questioned by his establishmentthe expert explains: “People may be sleep deprived because they stay up late preparing for the trip the night before and then want to get going early”. Opting to drive at night or overloading one’s professional schedule in the days before departure to complete all current files before the holidays are other worrying habits for the health professional. “All of these situations can lead to significant sleep deprivation which will inevitably end up causing excessive drowsiness and fatigue. Which can be very dangerous when driving and trying to maintain your attention on the road.”he emphasizes.
For him, it is essential to leave rested and to avoid all situations that could create a sleep debt. A point of view shared by road safety. She explains on her site : “It is best to hit the road after a night of restful sleep and not to get up at an unusual hour. Similarly, it is not recommended to leave after a day’s work without having rested.”
Drowsiness at the wheel: recognize the signs and adopt the right reflexes
To avoid falling asleep at the wheel, it is essential to know how to recognize the signs of drowsiness according to the American doctor. Yawning, heavy eyelids, periods of absence or a desire to change position frequently should alert and above all not be ignored. If they appear, you should quickly stop at a rest area to take a break or change drivers.
The sleep specialist adds that the “Caffeine should only be used to increase alertness for brief periods”. He is pointing out that “High doses of caffeine can be counterproductive, contributing to poor sleep when you are able to get the rest you need”.
And even if you don’t feel tired, it is recommended to take a break of 15 to 20 minutes at least every two hours. Regularly airing out the vehicle and correctly adjusting the ventilation and/or air conditioning are also part of the recommended good habits. Road safety adds that exceeding the speed limits in the hope of arriving faster is useless. “Excessive speed induces additional fatigue, because speed forces the brain to process more information in a shorter time, and vision must then constantly adapt.”we can read in his advice.
Also, be careful with medications. Drowsiness is a side effect of many treatments.
“Respect your body’s need for sleep and try not to exhaust yourself,” adds Dr. Alapat. “It is better to take a break and arrive safely than not arrive at all.”
