Transportation Tuesday TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY Drive alert, arrive safe Did you ever feel sleepy at the wheel? Do you feel bored of driving, find your shoulders sag, feel your eyes close, yawn while driving, lower your seat to relax, cant pay attention-these are signs of fatigue that could cause you to nod off while driving. Most of us think that we can handle fatigue while driving and in some cases, manage to drive although we are extremely exhausted. Its a risk one should not take!

Transportation Tuesday Are you tired? Avoid driving! Fatigue driving may not seem serious and most of us wonder why its considered a problem. Fatigue is a problem because staying focused and alert is very crucial for driving. Fatigue drivers usually have slower reaction time putting themselves and others in danger, especially when they encounter unexpected and unusual emergency situations.

Transportation Tuesday How do you know? While driving, dont ignore these signs of fatigue: frequent yawning frequent yawning blurred vision blurred vision drowsiness and a relaxed feeling drowsiness and a relaxed feeling find it difficult to keep your eyes open find it difficult to keep your eyes open dont remember the last few miles driven dont remember the last few miles driven drift from lanes or hit the pave way. drift from lanes or hit the pave way. have trouble keeping your head up have trouble keeping your head up not able to concentrate not able to concentrate feel restless and impatient miss signs & traffic lights

Transportation Tuesday Here is an example… The driver fell asleep while driving. He fractured his foot and almost got killed in the accident. The road he was driving on The accident spot The vehicle after the accident An inside view of the drivers seat Driving requires your full attention If you fall asleep behind the wheel, the next action may not determine whether you stay awake but whether you stay alive.

Transportation Tuesday Who are usually at risk? When people do not get sufficient sleep. When people do not get sufficient sleep. People under medication that causes drowsiness. People under medication that causes drowsiness. Those that work long excessive hours. Those that work long excessive hours. Shift workers. Shift workers. Driving early morning, mid-afternoon and late night. Driving early morning, mid-afternoon and late night. These are times when people generally feel sleepy. These are times when people generally feel sleepy. Travelling long distances without proper sleep or breaks. Travelling long distances without proper sleep or breaks. People on monotonous drives especially when People on monotonous drives especially when driving alone. driving alone.

Transportation Tuesday Here are some suggestions There is no substitute to sleep so get enough rest There is no substitute to sleep so get enough rest before driving. Long distance driving is hard work, before driving. Long distance driving is hard work, you need to be fresh and alert. you need to be fresh and alert. If possible, try not to drive alone. Passengers If possible, try not to drive alone. Passengers can take turns and also serve as a conversation can take turns and also serve as a conversation partner. partner. Avoid long distance drives at night but if its Avoid long distance drives at night but if its part of your job, make sure you get sufficient sleep. part of your job, make sure you get sufficient sleep. Avoid speeding. Speed and fatigue are a Avoid speeding. Speed and fatigue are a dangerous combination. dangerous combination.

Transportation Tuesday Here are more suggestions Keep an eye on your posture. Keep your head Keep an eye on your posture. Keep your head up. Try not to lower your seat when tired and up. Try not to lower your seat when tired and while driving. while driving. Take frequent breaks. Stop at the gas station Take frequent breaks. Stop at the gas station or a restaurant. Get yourself a refreshment or or a restaurant. Get yourself a refreshment or snack. snack. Avoid medication when driving. Medicines Avoid medication when driving. Medicines usually makes you feel drowsy. usually makes you feel drowsy. If you really feel too tired to If you really feel too tired to drive, stop at a safe area and drive, stop at a safe area and get a quick nap. get a quick nap.

Transportation Tuesday