4 a.m.: Hans W. has been sitting in the car for hours on his way to Italy. He should actually take a break, but he has to be at the coast by 10 a.m.. He is shivering, yawning, his head is pounding and his eyelids are heavy. On the last exit from the highway onto the country road, he has lost his bearings. It’s dark and three times already he’s had trouble keeping his car in the lane on the now dead-straight stretch. These are all typical and alarming signs of the risk of so-called microsleep occurring. According to the German Road Safety Association (DVW) in Meckenheim near Bonn, one in four traffic accidents is caused by microsleep.
Microsleep – what does it mean?
The colloquial term, technically known as a fatigue attack, refers to an involuntary nodding off, often lasting only a few seconds. This phenomenon occurs particularly in road traffic during excessively long and monotonous journeys with little variety. People are particularly at risk when driving at night between 2 and 5 o’clock.
Significant precursors such as driving errors, poor lane keeping, erratic speed or frequent shifting, as well as the general feeling of tiredness, should not be underestimated.
Other causes
Such attacks of fatigue occur not only due to a recent lack of sleep, but also as a result of general sleep problems. More and more people are unable to find adequate sleep at night, for example, because of excessive stress or even brief cessations of breathing (apnea). Chronic illnesses or chronic pain can also lead to sleep disorders.
It is also considered proven that one or more sleeping passengers increase the risk for the occurrence of microsleep.
Which groups are at particular risk?
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Commuters and shift workers who, especially when outside temperatures are low, often overheat their cars and would prefer to continue sleeping in the soft, comfortable seats.
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Poorly and insufficiently rested people, often after drinking strong coffee, on the morning commute to work.
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Truck drivers who get behind the wheel on Sunday evening or Monday morning after the often short and therefore not very restful weekends. They are usually under enormous deadline pressure, extremely long trips without breaks are the frequent result.
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Teenage disco-goers who race home at night on lonely and monotonous country roads, and often in the company of sleeping co-drivers.
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Vacationers on the way to the distant destination. To escape the expected traffic jams, the journey often begins after midnight or in the early morning hours. The desire to arrive on time, drives often enough otherwise prudent motorists to dangerous overestimates.
Tips for prevention
- Drivers should start rested, eat only light food beforehand and do not drink alcohol the night before. Roast pork and co. make you tired and should also be avoided while driving. Instead, drink plenty, preferably water, tea or diluted fruit juices.
- Provide variety, for example, with music, but do not let yourself be distracted.
- Enough oxygen is also important: refrain from smoking and open a window from time to time.
- And very important: take a break every two hours with plenty of exercise, stretching and stretching exercises. Already at the first signs of fatigue should be rested and, if necessary, some sleep.
(dgk)
