February 19, 2010
Don't drive if you're too tired-it's not worth the risk
Driving while fatigued is as dangerous as impaired driving
Edmonton... Driving while extremely tired can make you a road hazard. It is as dangerous as impaired driving because it slows a driver’s reaction time, decreases awareness and impairs judgment in a way similar to alcohol or drugs.

Lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of drowsy driving. Other factors that can cause fatigue include driving long distances alone or without rest breaks, and driving through the night or at times when the driver normally sleeps. Taking medication that increases sleepiness or drinking alcohol also contributes to driver fatigue. People most at risk for falling asleep at the wheel are shift workers, commercial drivers, people with untreated sleep disorders, teenagers and young adults. Fatigue-related crashes are common in young drivers because they tend to stay up late, sleep less than they should and drive more often at night.

What are the signs of driver fatigue?

• Yawning
• Inability to keep eyes focused and head up
• Having wandering, disconnected thoughts and losing track of time
• Drifting between lanes, tailgating or missing traffic signs
• Noticing a vehicle in the rear-view mirror that seemed to appear out of nowhere

Most fatigue-related collisions happen between 1 and 4 p.m. and early in the morning between 2 and 6 a.m. They usually occur at higher speeds and can result in drivers running off the road or colliding head-on with other vehicles or stationary objects.

How can you reduce driver fatigue?

• Become aware of your biological clock and avoid driving during your body's “down time.”
• Stop if you become sleepy while on the road.
• Get plenty of sleep the night before a long trip.
• Avoid working all day and then driving all night. Stay overnight for a fresh start in the morning.
• Schedule a break every two hours or every 160 km. Stretch or take a walk to get some fresh air.
• Take a mid-afternoon break. Have a 20-40 minute nap.
• Travel with an awake and alert passenger. Having someone to chat with will help keep you awake. The passenger can also let you know if you are showing signs of fatigue.

For more information, contact the Office of Traffic Safety at 780-422-8839 or your Regional Traffic Safety Coordinator. To find your local coordinator, visit the Saferoads website at www.saferoads.com and click on Contact Us, then the Regional Traffic Safety Coordinators link on the left-hand side.