Fatigue impairment can
result in performance reductions equivalent to the effects of
drinking
several ounces of alcohol, according to a new study led by a
University of
Michigan sleep researcher published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association.
The seemingly ever-ending
media coverage that makes most people aware of the dangers of drinking &
driving. However, many don't realize that
drowsy driving
can be just as fatal.
Like alcohol, fatigue impairment
slows reaction time,
decreases awareness,
impairs judgment
and increases the risk of having an
accident. Someone who
has
not slept for 18 hours
is as
impaired as someone
with a 50 mg% blood alcohol
level.
Driver fatigue is a contributing factor in
19% and the cause in 4% of all fatal vehicle collisions. It is the cause
of about 20% of non-fatal crashes. These numbers are
likely conservative
since there is no simple means to assess
driver fatigue and drowsiness
following a collision.
We need to educate ourselves on the
DANGERS
of Fatigue Impairment after all . . .
"Knowledge IS
POWER!!"
