Page 28 Healthy Cells Magazine Peoria July 2014

driver fatigue
P
lanning a summer road trip?
Youre not alone. A recent
Bridgestone survey found that
four out of five people hit the road for
summer fun. With so many destina-
tions to choose from, deciding where
youll stop along the way, what sights
youll see, and where youll stay, it
makes for a lot of decisions for you
and those youre traveling with.
But theres one thing that you and
your travel companions can agree
on, getting to your destination and
back safely is priority number one.
When planning your road trip,
there are many safety precautions to
take including checking tires, lights,
fluid levels, wiper blades, and other
vehicle functions. Unfortunately, not
all drivers consider how their fatigue
will contribute to the safety of them-
selves, their passengers, and others
on the roadway.
Driver Fatigue Affects Driver
Safety
The National Sleep Foundation
reports that each year on our high-
ways at least 100,000 accidents and
1,500 fatalities are sleep related, with actual figures closer to 200,000
accidents and 5,000 deaths. Most of these accidents happen during
the time when the driver would have been sleeping. Thirty-one percent
of all drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel at least once in their lifetime.
The more fatigued the driver, the more severe the crash. Driving longer
distances can make a driver more prone to fatigue, but working long
hours, shift work, lack of sleep, or a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea,
can increase your fatigue anytime you drive.
How Fatigue Affects Your Driving
Fatigue can have a huge impact on your driving. In fact, people who
sleep only six to seven hours a night are two times more likely to be
involved in a car crash than those getting eight hours or more. Accord-
ing to the National Sleep Foundation, drivers who have slept less than
five hours increase their risk by 400-500 percent. Driving fatigued can
also be similar to driving drunk. If youve been awake for 18 hours, its
similar to having a BAC of 0.05. Being awake for 24 hours of more is
like having a BAC of 0.10. These statistics remind us of the seriousness
of getting good rest and not driving while fatigued.
Sleep Disorders Increase Risk of Accidents
Over 30 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnea, or tem-
porary cessation of breathing, a potentially life-threatening disorder.
Shockingly, 95 percent of these people are undiagnosed and untreated.
Those with untreated sleep apnea are at increased risk for a host of
health problems including stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure,
depression, and cancer, among others.
Untreated sleep apnea can also increase your risk for having a car
accident. A study performed by the University of British Columbia
Sleep Disorders program evaluated 800 people with sleep apnea.
The study found that these people were two times more likely to be
involved in a car crash and three to five times more likely to be involved
with a car crash causing personal injury. The study found that even
those with mild sleep apnea were at an increased risk for a car crash
involving personal injury.
Two central Illinois patients of Dr. Rod Willey of the Koala Center
For Sleep Disorders have experienced falling asleep at the wheel
Know Your Symptoms of Fatigue
Fatigue is easy to detect, with symptoms including:
Yawning
Sore or heavy eyes
Slower reaction times
Finding you're daydreaming and not concentrating
on your driving
Driving speed creeps up or down
Impatience
Impaired driving performance such as poor gear changes
Stiffness and cramps
Loss of motivation
Safe Summer Driving
Submitted By the Koala Center for Sleep Disorders
July 2014 Peoria Healthy Cells Magazine Page 29
driver fatigue
firsthand. One gentleman, who struggled with severe sleep apnea,
fell asleep at the wheel and woke up when his vehicle was traveling
through a cornfield. This patient began to fear getting behind the
wheel, so much so that he was at the mercy of a friend to take him to
where he needed to go.
Another patient in her mid-70s fell asleep while driving resulting in
a one car accident. The courts determined that her license would be
revoked until she obtained treatment for her sleep apnea. After seeking
successful treatment from Dr. Willey, she was safely back on the road.
Luckily in both of these cases, no one was seriously injured. But
that is not always the outcome.
If you struggle with daytime fatigue, headaches, loud snoring, or
choking or gasping for air, you may suffer from sleep apnea. You could
be putting yourself and others at risk. It would be worth your safety,
and the safety of those around you, to be evaluated for the possibility
of sleep apnea.
For more information, contact Dr. Rod Willey at the Koala Center for
Sleep Disorders. As a general dentist, with a Diplomate from the Acad-
emy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines, Dr. Willey has limited his
practice to the treatment of snoring, sleep apnea, and TMJ Disorders
with oral appliance therapy. To contact them, call 309-565-8149 or visit
KoalaSleepCenters.com.
Sources: Transport Accident Commission, SafeCar.gov, National Sleep Foundation,
Bridgestone America Surveys 2014, Federal Department of Transportation, AAA Founda-
tion for Traffic Safety
Photo credit: Vladimir Mucibabic/Thinkstock
What To Do To
Avoid Drowsy Driving
Take a break before you reach critical fatigue.
Schedule regular breaks and pay close attention to your
bodys cues.
Night time is very risky for drivers since sleep becomes
an irresistible urge. Avoid driving between midnight and
six a.m. if possible.
Be aware of an afternoon lull between one and five
p.m. when many sleep- related crashes happen.
Get enough sleep, especially the night before a long trip.
Travel with a passenger who can keep you alert.
Pull off the road when feeling tired or let your passenger
drive.
The use of caffeine can give a short-term boost to help
you be more alert, but it is no substitute for sleep.
For more information on how to avoid drowsy
driving, visit https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/
DrowsyDrivingBrochure.pdf
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