Sleepy drivers on a crash course
Sleepy drivers are deadly drivers and they are being asked to wake up to the destruction they are causing to human lives. Physicians and experts on transport issues, say that lack of sleep impairs the ability to drive and that those who are exhausted should not be allowed to take the wheel. They also say passengers should watch out for warnings signs such as when a driver begins to nod and can’t keep the vehicle steady.
As for policing, law enforcers propose shift work for overworked traffic police, mobile patrols in unmarked cars and motorbikes and also suggest creating public awareness of quick action when hit-andrun accidents occur.
Police Traffic Chief, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Palitha Fernando said drowsiness and high incidence of drink driving contributed to road traffic accidents. He adds that the laws are being enforced effectively.
He also cited inexperience among drivers and motorcyclists also as contributory factors to road traffic accidents.
“There are inexperienced drivers who have not had basic training. I think authorities must look into this. The department of motor traffic should take this into consideration,’’ he added.
He said that in the past, traffic police deployed mobile patrols to detect violators of road rules but that this is not being done efficiently now because there are not enough trained traffic policemen.
To deal with those who fall asleep at the wheel, former traffic police chief Camillus Abyegoonewardene, suggests raising awareness about the behaviour of such drivers.
“The behaviour of the driver should alert the passengers,’’ he said. These drivers take more risks, yawn frequently, are seen nodding, and blinking. They show no interest in carrying on a conversation with those in the vehicle. “More alarming signs include the driver becoming irritable, restless, shifting in his seat, insisting they are all right when asked about possible problems, driving in a zigzag manner, missing road signs and irrational speeding and braking.’’
He said driver training schools must be asked to include lessons on the dangers of fatigue and driving while drowsy.
Dr. Harsha Perera, a physician at Colombo National Hospital said drivers underestimate the level of fatigue, its consequences and they overestimate their ability to perform and overcome the effects of fatigue coupled with a low perceived threat of the dire consequences of an accident.
He said drivers who feel drowsy, open the window to let in air, lower the temperature in the cabin, splash water on their faces, stop to take a brief walk, or talk to themselves.
Traffic safety experts advise drivers to take a brief nap in a safe location rather than continue driving when they fell sleepy.
They say most crashes or near misses occur between midnight and 2:00am, as well as4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Road traffic accidents are also frequent between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
An expert on transport, Professor Amal Kumarage, said that those who reported sleeping six or fewer hours a night faced an increased risk of collisions. “One in seven licensed drivers aged between 16-24 admits having fallen asleep at least once while driving in the past year and that 10 per cent of all drivers say they’ve dozed off at the wheel,’’ he said.
He said introducing tactile edges to roads could help reduce traffic accidents caused by sleepy drivers.