2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice DRIVER FATIGUE 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Coffee overcomes the effects of drowsiness while driving. (T or F) FALSE. Stimulants are no substitute for sleep. Drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee or cola, can help you feel more alert; however, the effects only last for a short time. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

I can tell when I'm going to go to fall asleep. (T or F) FALSE. Sleep is not voluntary. If you're drowsy, you can fall asleep and never even know it. You cannot tell how long you've been asleep. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice Rolling down my window or singing along with the radio will keep me awake. (T or F) FALSE. An open window or the radio has no lasting effect on a person’s ability to stay awake. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

I am a safe driver so it does not matter if I am sleepy. (T or F) FALSE. The only safe driver is an alert driver. Even the safest drivers become confused and use poor judgment when they are sleepy. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

You can stockpile sleep on the weekends. (T or F) FALSE. Sleep is not money. You can't save it up ahead of time and you can't borrow it. But, just as with money, you can go into debt. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night. (T or F) TRUE. The average person needs seven or eight hours of sleep a night. If you go to bed late and wake up early to an alarm clock, you probably are building a sleep debt. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Being sleepy makes you misperceive things. (T or F) TRUE. One of the warning signs of a drowsy driver is misjudging surroundings. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Young people need less sleep. (T or F) FALSE. Young people need more sleep than adults. Males under 25 are at the greatest risk of falling asleep. Half of the victims of fatigue-related crashes are under 25. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice Wandering, disconnected thoughts are warning signs of driver fatigue. (T or F) TRUE. If you are driving and your thoughts begin to wander, it is time to pull over and take a break. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice Little green men in the middle of the road may mean the driver is too tired to drive. (T or F) TRUE. Seeing things that are not there is a good indication it is time to stop driving and take a rest. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice On a long trip, the driver should never take a break and try to arrive at the destination as quickly as possible. (T or F) FALSE. Driving, especially for long distances, reveals a driver’s true level of sleepiness. To be safe, drivers should take a break every three hours. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

A micro sleep lasts four or five seconds. (T or F) TRUE. During a "micro sleep" of four or five seconds, a car can travel 100 yards, plenty of time to cause a serious crash. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Driver Responsibilities Operate bus safely. Keep passengers safe. Be alert. React quickly. Expect unexpected. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Just like drugs or alcohol, sleepiness Slows reaction time. Decreases awareness. Impairs judgment. Fatal when driving. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice 37% of drivers have nodded off for at least a moment or fallen asleep while driving at least once in their driving career. 8% of drivers have done so in the past six months. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice What is driver fatigue? It is the general term used to describe the experience of feeling sleepy, tired, or exhausted when driving a vehicle. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Fatigue on the road can be a killer. Did you forget the last mile you drove? You cannot recall the last milepost marker you passed? Have you been tailgating? Are you changing lanes frequently for no apparent reason? 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Fatigue on the road can be a killer cont: Are you driving slow in the high speed lane? Are you driving fast in the slow lane? Did you roll down your windows for some fresh air? In the last hour, did you calculate the exact time that you would be back home? Are you constantly shifting in your seat? 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Fatigue on the road can be a killer cont: Are the "4-wheelers" getting on your nerves? Are you driving fast in the slow lane? Did you forget to turn off your turn signals from the last lane change? Have you told yourself in the last hour, "This will be the last trip?" Can you remember the color of the last warning sign? 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Fatigue on the road can be a killer cont: Can you remember the color of the last 4-wheeler that passed you? Are on-coming headlights bothering you? Are you driving on the roadway striping (white lines)? Are you braking for no apparent reason? Are your eyes watery and red (blood-shot)? 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Fatigue on the road can be a killer cont: Are you unable to focus clearly? Are you difficult to get along with–cranky, irritable? Do you need the use of outside stimulation (i.e., medicine, drugs) to stay alert? Do you feel compelled to pick up unauthorized passengers for companionship? 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

How do you recognize driver fatigue? It is Physiological (the way a particular body or organism works )and it is Psychological (relating to the mind or mental processes). Decreases ability to judge one’s own level of tiredness. Symptoms vary between driver. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice Symptoms May Include: Heavy eyelids. Tired or sore eyes. Poor concentration. Yawning. Restlessness. Drowsiness. Slow reaction. Boredom. Feeling irritable. Missing road signs. Having difficulty staying in the lane/over steering. Succumbing to micro sleeps. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

High-risk times for fatigue-related crashes are: Night time and early morning 10 p.m.—6 a.m. Afternoon 1 p.m—3 p.m. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

How can you prevent driver fatigue-related fatalities? Good nights sleep. Pull over and stop. Napping. Nutrition. Stay hydrated. Affects of medication. Adjust environment. Radio usage. Do not use cruise control. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Remember, once fatigue sets in—sleep is the only cure! 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Q. What is Driver Fatigue? A. It is the general term used to describe the experience of feeling sleepy, tired or exhausted when driving a vehicle. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Q. Describe three signs of fatigue. A. Heavy eyelids, tired or sore eyes, poor concentration, yawning, restlessness, drowsiness, slow reaction, boredom, feeling irritable, missing road signs, having difficulty staying in the lane/oversteering, succumbing to micro sleeps. 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Q. What are the high-risk times for fatigue-related crashes? A. Night time and early morning * Nighttime and early morning 10 p.m—6 a.m. * Afternoon 1 p.m.—3 p.m.   2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice Q. What are some things you can do to prevent driver fatigue-related fatalities? A. Get a good night’s sleep. Pull over and stop. Napping. Nutrition. Stay Hydrated.   2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice

Remember, once fatigue sets in—sleep is the only cure! THE END 2009-10 Driver Trainer Inservice