27 July 2011
Think Rolling Down The Window Will Keep You Awake? Think Again
RSA and An Garda Síochána Launch Bank Holiday Campaign
As the August Bank Holiday nears and thousands of people prepare to head off for the weekend, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are reminding drivers to be aware of the dangers of driving while tired. This call comes as research suggests that driver fatigue could be a contributory factor in as many as 1 in 5 driver deaths in Ireland every year. Furthermore, this risk is increased during a bank holiday weekend when there are more drivers on the roads, often travelling long journeys without a break.
Previous research conducted by the RSA into driver fatigue revealed that 2 in 5 drivers believed that rolling down the windows will combat tiredness while driving. However, the RSA today reminded drivers that these tactics don’t work and that driving while tired can be more dangerous than drink driving.
Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: “We’ve heard many stories about how people stay awake behind the wheel of the car, including rolling down the windows, turning up the music and even trapping their hair in the sun roof. Although these are certainly creative, they don’t work and will not stop you falling asleep if you’re a tired driver. The only cure for driver fatigue is sleep so if you’re behind the wheel of the car, don’t risk your life, the lives of your passengers or other people on the road by fighting sleep at the wheel. Pull in somewhere safe, drink a cup of coffee and take a 15 minute nap. When you wake up, get out of the car, walk around and get some air. This should allow you to drive for another hour.”
Over the past 10 years, 195 people have been killed and seriously injured during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Last year, provisional figures from An Garda Síochána reveal that three people were killed and three others seriously injured over the bank holiday period. An Garda Síochána is advising road-users that they will be conducting checkpoints throughout the country this weekend to monitor high risk behaviours.
Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre, An Garda Síochána said: “Over the three day August Bank Holiday weekend last year, there were 250 incidents of motorists driving while intoxicated. In addition, 1,222 Fixed Charge Notices were issued to drivers who exceeded the speed limit. These are serious road traffic violations that contribute to a higher risk of death and serious injury.”
“This weekend, Gardaí will be actively targeting all aspects of high risk behaviour on our roads with particular emphasis on driver fatigue, drink and drug driving, speeding and vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists and pedestrians. Our objective this weekend, and every weekend, is to prevent further deaths and injuries on our roads and to encourage all road-users to travel safely.”
Aveen Bannon, independent nutritionist on behalf of the Coffee Council says: “Keeping hydrated during a journey is important too. Try drinking a coffee as the caffeine will give you an energy boost. There are some tips on the new Coffee Council website www.coffeecouncil.ie Getting a coffee can be a good excuse to stop off at a garage and take a break at the same time…So remember fuel your body as you would your car that way you can help reduce the risk of being overtired."
The campaign is being supported by the ‘Crashed Lives’ radio and TV ad recorded by Charlie Mitchell which includes the prescriptive advice on what to do if fighting sleep. Charlie’s brother Fran was killed when he fell asleep behind the wheel of the car and crashed into a wall.
An Garda Síochána and the RSA are appealing to motorcyclists to be aware of their vulnerability on the roads. Already this year 13 motorcyclists have died as a result of collisions and this currently represents 1 in 10 road deaths. Motorcyclists are urged to drive safely and at appropriate speeds bearing in mind road markings and the rules of the road regarding overtaking particularly in two and three lane traffic. Motorcyclists should ensure that they are wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and that their bikes are services regularly and maintained in good condition especially the brakes and tyres.
Drivers are encouraged to be aware of motorcyclists on the roads and to check their mirrors carefully particularly at junctions and when making right turns.
More information on driver fatigue can be found in the RSA’s booklet ‘Driver Tiredness – The Facts’ which can be downloaded from the Driver Fatigue campaign page.
The Road Safety Authority is now live on Facebook and Twitter.
For further information, please contact:
RSA Communications Office: 096 25008
Or
An Garda Síochána Press Office: 01 666 2071 and pressoffice@garda.ie
August Bank Holiday statistics for last decade (2000- 2010)
| Year |
Killed |
Seriously Injured |
KSI |
| 2000 |
12 |
22 |
34 |
| 2001 |
2 |
21 |
23 |
| 2002 |
8 |
20 |
28 |
| 2003 |
5 |
14 |
19 |
| 2004 |
4 |
10 |
14 |
| 2005 |
3 |
12 |
15 |
| 2006 |
5 |
9 |
14 |
| 2007 |
4 |
11 |
15 |
| 2008 |
4 |
14 |
18 |
| 2009 |
3 |
6 |
9 |
| 2010 provisional |
3 |
3 |
6 |
| Total |
53 |
142 |
1995 |
Driver Fatigue - The Silent Killer
What is driver fatigue?
Fatigue is the physical and mental impairment brought about by inadequate rest over a period of time. Ideally, each individual needs seven / eight hours of sleep each night. Drivers who are suffering from a sleep debt are at risk of "nodding off" whilst driving and substantially increasing their risk of being involved in a crash.
If a driver persists in fighting sleep while driving the impairment level is the same as driving while over the drink drive limit. Eventually a driver will drift in and out of consciousness and experience ‘micro sleeps’ which can last for up to 10 seconds. Drivers can have a micro sleep with their eyes wide open.
If a driver has a ‘micro sleep’ for just four seconds while travelling at a speed of 100 km/h the car will have travelled 111 metres without a driver in control.
Tiredness related collisions are also 3 times more likely to be fatal or result in a serious injury because of the high impact speed and lack of avoiding action.
How big of a problem is driver fatigue?
Fatigue is not normally referred to on road crash report forms in Ireland. Therefore the incidence of fatigue related crashes is hidden by systematic under-reporting.
- Professor Jim Horne, Head of the Sleep Research Laboratory, Loughborough University, UK, advising the RSA has said driver fatigue could be a contributory factor in 1 in 5 fatal crashes in Ireland.
- Research conducted by on behalf of the RSA, in December 2009, revealed that over 1 in 10 drivers in Ireland (12%) have admitted falling asleep or nodding off while driving.
- The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) state that driver fatigue is conservatively estimated to be a factor in about 20% of road crashes in Europe.
Furthermore, their incidence increases with the degree of seriousness of the crash. Fatigue is disproportionately represented in single-vehicle crashes (25% of such crashes) but head-on collisions could also be fatigue related to a far greater extent than other types of crash (ETSC).
- According to VicRoads Victoria, Australia, 21% of fatal crashes are thought to be fatigue-related and about 30% of severe single vehicle crashes in rural area are believed to be linked to driver fatigue.
Who is at risk?
Young People - many young people have lifestyles that involve frequent late night activities, not getting enough sleep, taking risks, and being on the roads during night-time hours.
Shift Workers - shift workers are more likely to have disrupted sleep patterns which lead to fatigue more often. Night shift workers have the greatest risk of sleep disruption.
Goods Vehicle Drivers –Commercial pressures means that goods vehicle drivers are under huge time pressures, and will often push themselves to the limit. A sedentary lifestyle and often poor diet also puts them in the high risk group for driver fatigue.
People with Sleep Disorders – if left untreated, some conditions such as sleep apnoea and insomnia can lead to disrupted sleep on a regular basis. Constantly feeling sleepy can impair the ability to drive safely.
All Drivers - Fatigue itself increases crash risk. The risk is much greater with alcohol as even small amounts of alcohol can affect alertness. Fatigue combined with alcohol severely degrades driving skills.
What to do if you are a tired driver
- NEVER DRIVE IF YOU'RE FIGHTING SLEEP.
- When you start fighting sleep at the wheel, your impairment is as dangerous as driving over the legal alcohol limit.
- Stop and take a nap for 15 minutes- (set your mobile phone alarm)
- To really make the most of your break take a Caffeine drink before the nap (150mg of Caffeine e.g. 2 cups of coffee).
- After the nap, get some fresh air and stretch your legs.
- By following all of the above advice you should be able to drive for another hour or more.