Understanding Driver Fatigue

Fatigue Training

• Sleep is vital for safety
• Fatigue can be caused by job demands, life demands outside of work, and human biology
• Fatigue can manifest as sleepiness, a "don't care" attitude, reluctance to be bothered, irritability, forgetfulness, slow reactions, and difficulty concentrating

Fatigue Facts

• 15 people are killed daily in truck crashes related to fatigue.
• More truck drivers are killed on the job than any other type of worker. (possibly a typo).
• Highway fatalities equal one jet airliner crash per week.
• 24 hours without sleep is equivalent to a 0.10 blood alcohol content (BAC).
• Lack of sleep is the #1 reason for driver fatigue.

Driving Without Awareness (DWA)

• DWA is starting to be viewed similarly to drunk driving.
• There's a rising number of lawsuits involving fatigue-related incidents.
• California and Arizona are creating laws to prosecute DWA cases.
• Other states are likely to follow suit.

Consequences of DWA

• DWA can impact one's life, health, and freedom.
• Family and loved ones experience hardship.
• Civil and criminal penalties may be imposed.
• Legal fees (attorney fees) might be incurred.
• Lawsuits are possible.

What Happens When We Sleep?

• Non-REM sleep includes deep sleep, slow/regular heartbeat and breathing, and potentially waking disoriented or sluggish.
• REM sleep involves dreaming, rapid brain activity, uneven or racing heart rate, uneven breath, twitching, and paralysis.
• Both REM and Non-REM sleep are essential for a rested feeling.

Sleep Requirements

• The average person needs 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
• Sleep requirements vary from person to person.
• 65% of Americans are experiencing sleep loss due to stress.
• 32% lose sleep at least once a week.
• 16% experience stress-induced insomnia.

Factors That Keep Us Awake

• 2% of people cite current world events.
• 16% cite personal financial worries.
• 23% cite family issues.

How to Get a Good Night's Sleep

• Maintain a consistent bed and wake-up schedule. Create a calming nighttime routine.
• Optimize bedroom environment (quiet, dark, cool).
• Avoid screens before bed.
• Finish eating 2-3 hours before sleeping.
• Exercise regularly (but not too close to bedtime).

Lack of Sleep Leads To

• Difficulty paying attention
• Slower physical reaction times
• Slower thinking
• Driving ability declines
• Health problems

Sleep Loss and Driving

• Duration of sleep, amount of sleep in the last 24 hours, split sleep, and quality of sleep predict fatigue-related truck accidents

Fatigue And Driving

• Night driving risks are heightened and accidents are possible.
• Risks include increased sleepiness, slow speeds, erratic speeding and lane positioning.
• Accident risk is highest between 3-5 pm due to high body temperature, sleepiness difficulty staying focused.
• 8 hours off-duty is necessary to avoid accidents.

Ways To Improve Fatigue Management

• Short naps (less than 40 minutes) can improve performance
• Long naps (2-3 hours) involve REM/Non-REM cycles
• Good sleep includes dark/quiet room, cool temperature, good sleep surface, regular exercise, balanced diet, warm shower, avoid caffeine/alcohol

Getting Enough Sleep

• On days off get plenty of sleep
• While on shift try to get as much sleep as possible within a 24-hour period.
• Pay attention to your body - if you feel sleepy, sleep.
• If you're awake and can't go back to sleep in 30 minutes, get up

Remember

• Fatigue has biological causes that worsen over time. Sleep debt must be recovered.
• Bodily rhythms have a defined sleep cycle.
• There is no single solution to fatigue issues.
• Addressing sleep habits is key to performance and safety.

Sleep Apnea And Driving

• Sleep apnea is a condition where airflow is disrupted, which causes repeated disturbances and complete awakenings. This decreases sleep quality and produces daytime sleepiness. (Obstructive, Central, Mixed).
• Sleep apnea significantly correlates with accidents.

What Are the Facts? (Sleep Apnea)

• Roughly 12 million Americans experience sleep apnea.
• Risk factors include being male, over 40, and overweight.
• Untreated sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, memory issues, weight gain, headaches, poor job performance, and accidents.

Types Of Sleep Apnea

• Obstructive sleep apnea involves soft tissue blocking the airways.
• Central sleep apnea results when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.
• Mixed sleep apnea combines characteristics of both obstructive and central.

Warning Signs (Sleep Apnea)

• Snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping, daytime sleepiness, inability to concentrate, headaches, sinus congestion, falling asleep at work (especially in repetitive or tedious tasks), and/or depression.

What To Do (Sleep Apnea)

• Addressing sleep apnea requires a doctor's test and a sleep specialist.
• Contacting a healthcare professional to discuss the symptoms and get diagnosis is needed.

Conclusion

• Personal responsibility is paramount in sleep discipline and safety.
• Healthy habits (exercise, nutrition, sleep regimen) positively affect health and job performance directly impacting safety.
• Seek advice from a medical professional if sleep issues are suspected.

This quiz explores the causes and symptoms of driver fatigue, along with the different types of sleep and their importance. Test your knowledge on how fatigue affects driving awareness and the potential consequences. Suitable for anyone interested in road safety and human factors.