Driver's Ed Unit12
have fallen asleep at the wheel
103 million people admit to...
1/2
How many accidents nationwide involve some type of aggressive driving?
100,000
How many crashes each year are caused by driver fatigue?
9
How many hours of sleep should teens and young adults get each night?
violation of laws: up to 30 days in jail
What is a consequence of aggressive driving?
drowsy driving
What is one of the leading causes of traffic crashes?
fatigue warning signs
heavy eyelids, trouble keeping head up, yawning repeatedly, rubbing eyes, day dreaming, trouble remembering miles driven, drifting lane, closely/hitting a shoulder rumble strip, restless and irritable
effects of fatigue
impairs reaction time, judgement, and vision; impairs senses and abilities; may not see objects clearly or in a timely manner; may miss critical info- signs, lights and sounds; takes longer to process info or make decisions
effects of emotions
interfere with your ability to think, create mental distractions, increase risk taking, heartbeat increases, breathing quickens, feeling of exhaustion
how to reduce stress
leave plenty of time, drive posted speed limit, minimize distractions, drive after schedule to avoid peak drive times, know where you're going relax and concentrate on driving, don't drive when angry, upset, or overly tired, be polite
aggressive drivers
occurs when a driver operates vehicle in a push/bold manner, without regard for other's safety
road rage
occurs when a driver uses the vehicle or some other weapon to threaten or cause harm to another roadway user in response to a traffic incident
who's most at risk for drowsy driving
people who are driving long distances, young people, driving through the night, driving alone, driving on long rural roads, shift worker, commercial drivers
causes of fatigue
physical or mental weariness; physical strain; mental strain; monotonous tasks; illness; lack of sleep; sun glare; overeating; warm passenger compartment
things you can do to prevent aggressive driving
stay calm, take deep breaths, be careful, stay on road safely, give yourself extra time
how to maintain alertness while driving
wear sunglasses, avoid heavy foods, drive with a passenger and take turns, take periodic breaks, take a nap if needed, consume caffeine
caffeine
what can increase alertness for a few hours, but you shouldn't rely on it for a long time?
have someone else drive, pull off road, caffeine
what should a driver do if they notice a sign of fatigue when driving?