Avoid driving fatigue and arrive alive this holiday

POLOKWANE – According to the Department of Transport, fatigue doesn’t just mean falling asleep while you drive, but also includes brief lapses in concentration which can have serious consequences.

The department stated that most lives lost on the provincial roads in the past were from fatigue-related crashes. This figure, however, is likely to be higher as it can be difficult to tell when fatigue contributes to road accidents. It is incredibly dangerous to sleep behind the wheel and to prevent it from happening is very important for your safety and everyone who shares the road with you.

The transport department highlighted how important it is to recognise the warning signs of fatigue and take appropriate action. Being awake for more than 17 hours has a similar effect on your performance as having a blood alcohol content of more than 0.05. The risks of driving when tired apply even if you do not fall asleep at the wheel. Short lapses in concentration caused by tiredness or drowsiness can have serious consequences on your driving.

When you experience fatigue, your brain can have short periods of sleep called ‘microsleeps’.

Microsleeps can last from a fraction of a second up to 10 full seconds which cannot be controlled.

It is important to recognise the following warning signs of tiredness when you drive, especially long distances:

• Feeling drowsy, tired or exhausted
• Blinking more than usual
• Yawning
• When you start to notice that your eyes are slowly closing for a moment or unexpectedly
• When your eyes go out of focus or start to have blurry vision
• Feelings of ‘dozing/nodding off’
• Missing an exit or road sign
• Aches and pains
• Trouble to remember the last few miles you’ve driven
• Changing speed abruptly
• Droning and humming in your ears
• Drifting in the lane or over lane lines
• Following other cars too closely
• Stiffness and cramps
• Having trouble to keep your head up straight
• Forgetting the previous few minutes of driving
• Losing focus on the road
• General tiredness

A day before you drive to your destination:

• Avoid alcohol or caffeine before bed
• Make sure that you get a good night’s sleep
• Knowing your sleeping patterns, avoid driving at times you’re normally sleeping
• Avoid long drives after you worked the day before as your body is already exhausted
• If you take any kind of medication or medicinal drugs, understand the effects those substances might have on your driving
• Plan your trip ahead and work out rest and overnight stops

A few things you can do while you drive:

• Stretch your arms and legs a bit before you get in the car
• Take regular breaks along the road; you should stop for at least 15 minutes every two hours during your trip
• Drive in shifts if there is someone with you who you trust and can drive
• Use pit stops and tourism spots as rest areas
• Stop and rest as soon as you feel tired
• Buy healthy food and drinks to keep you refreshed
• Never drive for more than 10 hours in a single day, make sure to rest and continue the trip the following day