Driver fatigue is often a factor in fatal collisions. This applies especially to people (truck and bus drivers and holiday-makers) driving long distances.

According to the Arrive Alive campai

Advertisement

gn, there are some ways to avoid driver fatigue:

• For long trips, plan in advance so you know where you are going to take a break.
• Take a break at least every two hours.
• Plan to stay somewhere overnight if you are going on a long journey.
• Share the driving - and make sure that you rest when you are not driving.
• Try not to drive when you would normally be asleep (early mornings and late nights).
• Look out for these signs when you are driving both long and short trips:
  • you keep yawning
  • your reactions slow down
  • you feel stiff
  • your eyes feel scratchy and your eyelids heavy
  • you find you are daydreaming
  • you notice that your car is wandering over the centre line or on to the edge of the road
• Don't drink and drive. Not only does alcohol severely impair your driving ability, it also acts as a depressant. Just one drink can induce fatigue.
• Do not strain yourself by driving for hours on end. Stop frequently (at least every 200km), get some exercise and have a light snack. If you're too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
• Avoid driving at night as most people are programmed to sleep when it's dark, and sleep becomes irresistible late at night. Avoid driving during the "low" period between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
• Drink coffee or an energy drink to promote short-term alertness if needed, but remember that it takes about 30 minutes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream.

(Sources: Arrive Alive)

(Health24.com, September 2007)
 

Print this article

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Civil Engineering Technician Gauteng - Johannesburg Accountant Gauteng - North/Sandton Financial Manager R550,000-600,000 Per Annum Central African Republic Financial Accountant R300,000-340,000 Per Annum Gauteng Treasury Specialist R500,000-630,000 Per Annum Gauteng - East Rand Credit Manager R300,000-400,000 Per Annum Mpumalanga Financial Manager R27,000-30,000 Per Month Gauteng - North/Sandton Delphi developers Gauteng - North/Sandton Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job