Driver fatigue is a major factor in many road accidents and can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. It impairs reaction time, vigilance, alertness and decision making. Most humans need around 8 hours of sleep per day to function normally, and taking less than 5 hours of sleep the previous night can severely impair performance. Pulling over and taking a short 10-15 minute nap can provide a reprieve of around 1 hour, but the only effective remedy is to get good quality sleep. Signs of driver fatigue include yawning, tired eyes, boredom, and restlessness. If feeling sleepy, drivers should pull over at a safe place and rest.

1. DRIVER FATIGUE

2. RESULTS

9. You are not only the one at
Risk !

10. Driver Fatigue is a factor in many thousands of
road traffic accidents worldwide.

11. Human beings need sleep! Sleep is not a matter of
choice it is essential and inevitable. The longer a
person remains awake or suffers from reduced or
interrupted sleep, the greater the need to fall asleep
and the more difficult it will be to resist falling asleep.
Eventually sleep will overcome the strongest efforts
and intentions to stay awake.

12. A lack of sleep or an extended driving shift is as
dangerous as alcohol and will cause slower
reactions, reduced vigilance, alertness and
concentration. It will also affect our decision making
and information processing skills

13. The need for sleep varies but most humans need
around 8 hours sleep per day to function
normally, taking less than 5 hours sleep the previous
night can severely impair your performance.

14. The general tactics employed by drivers to attempt to
fight sleep and stay awake such as opening the
windows, turning down the AC, turning up the
radio, or stopping and going for a walk have been
found to be ineffective.

15. The only effective proven tactic is to take a short sleep of
around 10 to 15 minutes duration; even this though will only
provide a reprieve of around 1 hour. The only really effective
remedy is to get some good quality sleep.

16. How do you recognize driver fatigue?

17. A number of symptoms can suggest driver fatigue, including:

18. •Yawning

19. •Tired Eyes

20. •Boredom

21. •Restlessness

22. •Aching

23. •The desire to eat or drink

24. Drivers who notice these symptoms should pull over to rest.
Many major highways provide rest stops for this purpose;
however it is important to pull all the way off the highway
into these rest stops to avoid collisions

25. What can you do if you feel sleepy during a journey?

26. Most drivers are aware when they feel tired but some
make the decision to continue, thinking they will get
to their next destination and sleep, many do not make
it to their next destination or they are involved in an
accident on the way.

27. You will know when you feel tired and you should pull
off the road at a safe place and rest.

28. If you are in a sleeper cab sleep in the cab, if not then
find a hotel or rest house, if you still have some
distance to go before a hotel then take a short nap
and continue, but remember the effects of the nap
will quickly wear off.

29. Remember to call your Supervisor , it is possible that
they can make arrangements for you to sleep at a rest
house close to you; they are there to help!

30. What can you do to avoid feeling sleepy during a
journey?

31. •Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before setting off on a long journey and if
your trip is over several nights ensure that you get a good night’s sleep whilst you are
out

32. •You should also be required to take a rest for a
minimum of 1 hour after every 4 hours of driving for
heavy vehicles and a 15 minute break every 2 hours
for light vehicles.

33. Travel with a passenger. An alert passenger
can watch you for signs of fatigue. If you have a
front seat passenger, they should remain awake

34. Remember you are your own supervisor when driving
and your safety, as well as that of other road users, is
in your hands. Please be a responsible and
professional driver.
Prepared By:
Muhammad Talha Tariq