unit 16
As you review the information presented in this unit, consider how to incorporate the following topics into your driving plan. To reduce risk on the road, you must: Be physically and mentally prepared to perform the multitask operations required on the road Use space and time management techniques to prevent a collision when you have to look away from the road Recognize the physical skills needed for driving and staying off the road when you're impaired by disability, illness, or medication Understand the severe risks involved in operating a motor vehicle while you are drowsy or fatigued Employ strategies to avoid becoming fatigued behind the wheel and drive only when you're rested enough to do so safely
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Not surprisingly, microsleeps are especially dangerous when you're performing an activity that requires constant alertness like driving. Yet they're most likely to occur when you're fatigued and performing a task like driving that is continuous and repetitive. During a microsleep, a driver will not see a red light, notice that the road has curved, or realize that his or her car has crossed the median. If you're not even awake, how are you going to avoid a collision?
According to the NHTSA, collisions that involve fatigued drivers generally occur after midnight and involve: A high incidence of fatality and serious injury A single vehicle driving off the roadway Drivers travelling on high-speed roads where it's easier to "zone out" and a fast reaction time is crucial Drivers who fail to take corrective action in time Drivers who are alone in the car
To drive, you must have a combination of muscle strength, muscle flexibility, joint range, and coordination. Even a single physical problem can become a significant obstacle to driving safely. An ailment as common as back pain may make it difficult to remain in a safe driving posture for more than a few minutes and to focus completely on the driving task.
As we discussed in Unit 11, the physical abilities needed to drive safely include the sensory skills used to see and hear the roadway. Most importantly, good vision is necessary for scanning the road for hazards, determining distances, and discerning essential details. As a driver, you must be consistently alert and aware of everything going around you. If any of your senses are impaired, you may not be able to absorb all the necessary information about the driving environment.
Most driving actions, including such basic tasks as signaling, changing gears, and checking gauges, mirrors, and blind spots, require Multitasking. When performing any one of these tasks, you must be able to divide your attention between your vehicle controls and your path of travel, the flow of traffic, roadway and weather conditions, the movements of other vehicles, and the actions of your passengers
As you drive, you must constantly pay attention to: How you're using the vehicle controls Where your vehicle is on the road and within your lane Whether you're staying within your path of travel Whether there are any obstructions to your line of sight How fast you're travelling Whether there are any pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or animals on the road Whether there are traffic control devices on the road ahead What is going on behind and to the sides of your car Whether your headlights and turn signals are activated when they should be Whether another driver's actions may potentially endanger you
Whenever you have to look away from the roadway (e.g. to look behind you or check your speedometer), scan the road ahead of you and to your sides before and after you take your eyes off the road. Adjust your driving for any potential hazards that may emerge while you are looking elsewhere, such as: Vehicles ahead that have slowed down suddenly Vehicles to your sides changing lanes or merging into your lane Motorcyclists riding in your lane trying to pass you Careless pedestrians that begin crossing your path in the middle of the block
Be especially watchful for vulnerable road users. Search for them constantly and have a plan of action to avoid a collision: If you see a bicyclist signaling his or her intention to turn left as you approach an intersection, slow down and let him or her go. If you wait to yield, you may be looking away from the roadway when the bicyclist passes your path, making a collision more likely. Whenever you look away from the driving scene to perform a driving task, search for pedestrians as soon as your gaze returns to the roadway.
Take a less congested route home. Drive at a reduced speed and increase your following distance so you'll have more time to respond. Listen to music or talk to passengers, if you can do so without becoming distracted. Even simple activities like chewing gum or talking to yourself can help you remain alert. Don't drive if you aren't feeling well!
Because of the monotony of driving, fatigue is especially likely to affect people who drive for long stretches of time. If you're planning on making a long trip, do everything you can to ensure you remain alert and attentive behind the wheel. Get a lot of rest before you begin your trip. Start your trip early in the day so you don't have to drive during times you'd normally be asleep. Avoid taking long drives at night.
How tired you feel at any given time will be influenced both by sleep homeostasis and by your circadian rhythms. Homeostasis will make you feel more sleepy the longer you're awake, while circadian rhythms will make you feel most awake during daylight hours. Under normal circumstances, the combination of these two processes cause will cause you to feel sleepiest at night.
Because the urge to sleep is the product of natural physiological processes, there's nothing you can do to force yourself to stay awake when you begin to get tired. It's dangerous to try to drive when your body wants to sleep. The more tired you are, the more likely you'll begin to experience the symptoms of fatigue behind the wheel, especially since driving itself can be tiring.
When you apply for your drivers license, you'll be asked to identify any permanent or ongoing physical or mental conditions which may interfere with your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Individuals with impairments must provide a statement from a physician indicating that they are physically and mentally capable of driving safely. If you have a permanent disability or medical condition that may affect your driving, consult your physician about whether or not you should drive. Be sure to identify any medical conditions you have when you apply for a license. If you obtain a license without providing this information, it may be revoked and you may face significant fines and other penalties.
Chronic health conditions that may prevent an individual from obtaining a drivers license include: Cerebral palsy Epilepsy Paralysis Dementia Acute diabetes Heart problems Respiratory problems Vascular problems that cause inadequate blood flow Any condition reported by a physician that makes a person unfit to drive
Your body begins to accumulate a need to sleep from the moment you wake up. Over the course of the day, your body's wakefulness decreases and your need for sleep increases, eventually reaching the point where it becomes difficult to stay awake. If you don't get enough sleep in one night to make up for the sleep debt you built up over the course of the previous day, that debt will continue to accumulate. As your sleep debt grows, you'll find it harder to think, maintain a positive attitude, and stay awake throughout the day. You will continue to be affected until you make up for your lost sleep.
Circadian Rhythms Over the course of a 24-hour period, people naturally experience fluctuations in their body temperature, hormone levels, and sleepiness, among other things. The timing of these fluctuations is governed by the body's circadian rhythms. Your circadian rhythms cause the normal ebb and flow of wakefulness and sleepiness you experience every day. While the exact time that you'll feel tired varies, in general, you'll feel most inclined to sleep between midnight and 6 a.m., and between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
For the most part, driving makes use of mental skills rather than physical skills. Indeed, because many vehicles use power steering or power brakes that respond to gentler physical input, it can be easy to forget that driving can be a physically demanding activity. As you gain driving experience, you'll come to have a better sense of the physical capabilities needed to operate a motor vehicle. If you ever feel as though you're not in the condition to handle the physical demands of driving, stay off the road.
Consider some of the physical skills that a driver must possess. Drivers must be: Able to hold their bodies upright and maintain control of the steering wheel Strong enough to apply force to the steering wheel or brakes rapidly to make evasive maneuvers Capable of sitting in the same position for an extended period Limber enough to enter and exit the car, move their necks from side to side, and manipulate the driver controls Free from ailments that may potentially distract them from the driving task
The maneuvers you'll have to perform as a driver will require you to multitask concurrently (doing several tasks at once) or sequentially (interrupting and resuming tasks performed one at a time). In many situations, you'll have to multitask in both ways at the same time.
Even in ideal conditions, most driving situations will require you to perform more than one action at once. For instance: While you guide the steering wheel, you must also control the pedals and look ahead. Sometimes you'll have to activate your headlights or turn signals while you're performing another action. When driving on a hill or curve, you may have to change gears while adjusting your speed and maintaining control of the steering wheel. If conditions aren't ideal, you may also have to pay extra attention to other drivers, consider the condition of road, and adjust your position to improve visibility. With so many things to consider, how is it possible to multitask successfully?
To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning: Never leave a car running in a closed garage, as the exhaust can build up quickly while the car is running. Leave a front window open slightly, even in cold weather, to allow fresh air to circulate in your car. If you open a rear window, you may draw exhaust back into your car. If you're stuck in traffic with other vehicles, leave your air vents closed so their exhaust doesn't enter your car.
Everyone gets tired, even when they have other things to do. Sometimes, you'll struggle to finish what you're working on, even when you can hardly stay awake. Because we're so used to being tired, many people don't expect fatigue to have a significant effect on how well they drive. This assumption is potentially fatal! Fatigue can affect your vision, judgment, and reaction time, making it much more likely you'll be involved in a collision.
Fatigue is defined as a physical and mental state that occurs following a period of activity and is characterized by a lower capacity for work and concentration, as well as reduced efficiency. Mental or physical work, emotional stress, and lack of sleep can all result in fatigue.
Fatigue can be caused by: Insufficient sleep Lengthy periods of physical work or mental strain (including studying) The monotony of driving for an extended period Stress, including the stress of driving in heavy traffic or adverse weather conditions Illness or medication Overeating Sun glare or an overheated car Disruption of natural sleep cycles
Certain medical conditions associated with sleeping problems, such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy, put drivers at a high risk of fatigue at all hours of the day. Sleep apnea interrupts a person's breathing during sleep, waking them and making it difficult for them to experience deep sleep. People with narcolepsy are less likely to sleep soundly through the night and more likely to fall asleep suddenly during the day. If you constantly feel tired or have a hard time staying awake during the day, consult a physician to determine whether you have one of these disorders and if it is safe for you to drive.
Fatigue has a number of physical and mental effects that will impair your ability to drive safely, including: Blurred or unfocused vision Sore or tired eyes Sore or tired muscles Aches and pain at the back of the head Joint stiffness Swelling in the hands and feet
Other laborers that are especially susceptible to fatigue are shift workers with nontraditional or late night work schedules. People returning home after working the night shift are particularly likely to be fatigued while driving. Studies show that night shift workers tend to get less sleep than day shift workers and are more affected by disruptions to their circadian rhythms. Approximately 20% of men and 15% of women have jobs that require them to work evening, night, split, or irregular shifts.
Fatigue is especially severe among hospital workers like nurses and residents. Frequently, these workers have to work 12-hour shifts and alternate between day and night shifts, making it impossible for them to develop consistent sleep schedules. According to one study, about 95% of nurses working 12-hour night shifts reported being involved in a collision or having a near miss when driving home from work.
Additionally, when you're fatigued: Your perceptual abilities are impaired Your reaction time is slower Your ability to judge speed and distance is reduced You're more susceptible to highway hypnosis You're more likely to be distracted by yawning or physical discomfort You're more likely to be irritable and to overreact to minor frustrations
Fatigued drivers are more likely to experience a Microsleep. Microsleep events are brief, unintentional episodes of sleep that last between a fraction of a second and several seconds. During a microsleep, you may stare blankly, your head may nod and snap back, and your eyes may close for prolonged periods (longer than a blink). Microsleeps can be especially dangerous because most people don't notice when they experience one. A fatigued person may realize that he or she can't remember what happened during the last few seconds, but dismiss the lapse as nothing more than a moment of "spacing out."
When taking a long trip: Don't take any medicines that make you drowsy, even on the night before you start your trip. Only drive for a reasonable distance (300 to 400 miles) or a reasonable amount of time (no more than 8 hours) in a single day. Take frequent breaks, even if you're not tired. Get out of the car and stretch. Maintain your energy levels by stopping for light meals, snacks, or beverages. Travel with another person so you can change drivers at regular intervals.
Highway rest stops are designed to provide drivers with a place to sleep so that fatigue-related collisions can be avoided. Look for a well-lit area where you can safely stop. Activate your parking lights and lock your doors. Make sure you turn off the engine and open the window slightly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. After you've rested or napped, walk around your car to wake yourself up before getting back on the road.
It can be helpful to understand how sleep is regulated in your body and why your body experiences different levels of sleepiness and alertness throughout the day. Sleep is regulated by two body systems: Sleep Homeostasis and Circadian Rhythms.
Homeostasis The body employs a process known as homeostasis to maintain steady levels of blood pressure, body temperature, and acid-base balance throughout the day. Homeostasis also governs our need for sleep, requiring that we get approximately 8 hours of sleep for every 16 hours of wakefulness. Sleep homeostasis is the reason we feel more tired the longer we're awake.
When driving, watch out for the following warning signs that you're too tired to drive safely: You have trouble keeping your eyes open You have difficulty maintaining a constant speed You're having a hard time remaining upright and keeping your head up Your vehicle keeps driving over rumble strips or raised lane dividers Your thoughts are disconnected or you're unable to remember the last few minutes
If you're fatigued you should: Maintain an upright driving posture. Avoid leaning forward, as you'll be more likely to fall asleep and have less control of your car in this position. Keep your eyes moving so you'll remain alert. Check your mirrors frequently. Open your windows to let fresh air in. Avoid overheating your car, even in the winter. Wear your seat belt.
Epileptics can generally obtain a standard class C license if they are on medication and have gone without any seizures for one year. Deformities and loss of limbs can be corrected for with prosthetic devices and special vehicle controls which allow people with disabilities to drive as safely as anyone else. Drivers with musculoskeletal disabilities may be able to operate vehicles equipped with special equipment. People who have a difficult time seeing to the sides due to neck or back problems or partial blindness can have larger mirrors installed on the sides of their cars to improve their view of the road.
If you're issued a restricted drivers license, you must only drive when the conditions specified by the restriction are met, even if you personally believe you can drive safely without doing so. Your license will be revoked if you operate a motor vehicle contrary to any restrictions listed on your license. If your medical condition changes, either for the better or for the worse, you should apply for a license that reflects your current health status. Otherwise, you may be driving illegally without knowing it!
With a car, you can get to school, work, off-campus activities and sporting events, friends' houses, the library, and anywhere else you want to go with ease. While it's natural to want to fit as much into a day as you can, sometimes you'll have to choose between doing something else or getting home before you're too tired to drive. Plan your schedule to avoid driving at night. If you're too tired to drive, stay at a friend's house or get someone who's more alert to give you a ride.
In general, drivers are more likely to experience fatigue when they're: Sleep deprived Driving long distances without breaks Driving when they're normally asleep Driving on long, rural roads without much variation Driving alone Frequent travelers Because all these factors tend to apply to commercial truck drivers, fatigue is one of the biggest safety issues that affects truckers. 00:15
Your ability to drive can be just as limited by a temporary impairment as by a permanent physical disability. The difference is that while people with permanent disabilities are legally required to meet certain conditions to operate a vehicle, temporarily impaired individuals are personally responsible for determining whether or not they're fit to drive. If you're feeling sick or using medication that may affect your driving, the best thing you can do is rest and focus on getting better. If there's a chance your driving will be impaired, stay off the road.
Many illnesses can impair the processes that send visual and auditory information to the brain as well as the brain's ability to act on that information. You may have difficulty concentrating, your reflexes and reaction times may be lengthened, and you may become so drowsy that you fall asleep at the wheel. Even a cold can be deadly! If you cough or sneeze at the wrong time, you may temporarily lose control of your car at a dangerous moment.
Before prescribing a medication, a doctor will consider not only if it can improve a particular patient's health, but also whether the patient is likely to experience dangerous side effects. When your doctor prescribes a medication, ask him or her if it will impair your ability to drive. Always follow the instructions and know the effects of any drug you use.
Never drive while using a medication with potential side effects that could reduce your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. In addition to prescription medications, many over-the-counter drugs can also impair your ability to drive. These include decongestants, antihistamines, cough syrups, pain relievers, acid reducers, sleeping aids, and even mouthwashes. Some medicines even include enough alcohol to raise your BAC above the legal limit for minors!
To be a safe driver, you must be able to assess your condition dispassionately and avoid driving when you're not fit to do so. When you're not physically or mentally able to be a good driver, the best way to show your respect for others is to stay away from the road. No matter how urgent your need to drive is, don't get behind the wheel if your ability to control your car is impaired in any way.
Never let your desire to drive cloud your good judgment. When you drive, a small error is all that it takes to bring about serious injury or senseless tragedy. Always remember that a car is a deadly machine that should not be operated except by someone wholly competent to do so. If you have any doubts about whether you should get on the road, don't! Call a cab, catch a bus, get a friend to give you a ride, or just stay home.
Teenagers tend to be especially susceptible to fatigue for several reasons: While adults generally need an average of 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep a night, children and teenagers can need as much as 9.5 hours of sleep a night. During adolescence, people experience changes in their circadian rhythms that make them feel alert at night even when they're fatigued. Young people are less aware of the effects of fatigue on their bodies and more likely think they can force themselves to stay awake long enough to reach their destination.
Not only are teens naturally more susceptible to fatigue, but they also tend to have an exhausting lifestyle. Due to school schedules, teens tend to rise early and stay busy at school for a minimum of 8 to 10 hours, especially if they're involved in extracurricular activities. When you factor in homework, part-time jobs, and socializing, and remember that teens are inexperienced drivers, it's easy to understand why so many are involved in fatigue-related collisions
To deal with the need to multitask while driving, your rule of thumb should be to never give any task more time and attention than needed. As you drive, be sure to avoid staring for too long in one place. For instance, while you must look behind you before changing lanes, the longer you keep looking behind you, the more likely it is that you'll get distracted from the task at hand and become involved in a collision.
One of the most important aspects of multitasking is time management. Always think about how long it will take to perform a task and give yourself a comfortable amount of time to complete it. As long as you manage your time successfully, you should never have to look away from the roadway for more than a half second at a time. By managing your space effectively as well (e.g. by adjusting your position or reducing your speed), you should always have enough of a buffer around your car to make a collision extremely unlikely in the half second you're looking away from the roadway. Never look away from the roadway for more than a half second. If a task requires more time, continue to switch your attention between the task and your path of travel until the task is finished.
Diseases that cause decreased muscular strength, such as muscular dystrophy, or poor muscle control, such as Parkinson's Disease, can prevent you from being able to stop and maneuver your vehicle safely. Medical conditions that may cause you to suddenly lose consciousness, experience a seizure, or suffer a debilitating medical event can be especially dangerous as they could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause a deadly collision. Dementia and other mental disorders can cause you to respond to situations on the road in dangerous and erratic ways, endangering everyone on the road.
Since most skills required to drive safely are mental, being physically challenged is not necessarily an obstacle to driving in all circumstances. If a driver can compensate for his or her condition and demonstrate the ability to drive safely, he or she may be issued a drivers license, often with a restriction on it requiring him or her to drive only when certain devices are used or specific conditions are met. However, if a licensing officer suspects that an individual's physical or mental abilities may not be adequate for driving, he or she may ask for a medical referral before issuing a license.
Consider some things that people commonly believe about sleep: Coffee will keep me awake. I know when I'm about to fall asleep. I'm a safe driver even when I'm a little sleepy. No matter how little I sleep it's always enough. Being a little tired won't affect my vision. If I play the radio loudly or open my windows, I'll stay awake. I can keep myself awake as long as I need to. Each of these claims is a myth! Driving while fatigued is always dangerous, and telling yourself otherwise will only increase the chances of a deadly collision. You can't rely on chemical substances, force of will, or anything else to keep you awake when your body wants to sleep.
The only safe and reliable remedy for fatigue is rest. If you're feeling tired, it's always better to rest before getting behind the wheel. Even though you may just want to get in the car and drive home after a long day at school or work, you should take a break before you drive. Rest your eyes or take a nap if necessary to ensure you're alert when driving home.
The physical skills that you must use when driving also tend to deteriorate as a natural part of the aging process. A person's vision, hearing, reaction time, and mental acuity can all become impaired over time. Because these effects occur gradually, they often go unnoticed by a person until they pose a significant risk to the driver and to others on the road. This is one reason that regularly reassessing your own ability to drive is so important.
The physical skills that you must use when driving also tend to deteriorate as a natural part of the aging process. A person's vision, hearing, reaction time, and mental acuity can all become impaired over time. Because these effects occur gradually, they often go unnoticed by a person until they pose a significant risk to the driver and to others on the road. This is one reason that regularly reassessing your own ability to drive is so important.
The initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. As you can imagine, these effects can be particularly dangerous when you're behind the wheel. The concentration of carbon monoxide and the duration of exposure will influence how severely a person is affected. When exposed to higher levels of carbon monoxide, a person may lose consciousness. If a person continues to inhale carbon monoxide after passing out, he or she faces a high risk of death.
To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning: Never leave a car running in a closed garage, as the exhaust can build up quickly while the car is running. Leave a front window open slightly, even in cold weather, to allow fresh air to circulate in your car. If you open a rear window, you may draw exhaust back into your car. If you're stuck in traffic with other vehicles, leave your air vents closed so their exhaust doesn't enter your car.
As a driver, you must be physically and mentally capable of performing the necessary driving tasks quickly, correctly, and safely. Because most maneuvers and actions you'll perform as a driver require you to execute a combination of different tasks, if you're impaired in a way that makes even one aspect of driving more difficult, you may have a hard time, especially if you have to respond quickly to a dangerous situation.
To multitask effectively, you must be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to drive: If you're physically impaired by a disability, illness, or fatigue, you may not be able to operate driver controls, maintain a safe driving posture, see the roadway clearly, or avoid being distracted by your own discomfort. If you're mentally distracted by personal concerns or non-driving tasks like talking on a cell phone, you won't be able to observe and respond to everything that requires your attention. If you're emotionally distressed by anger, anxiety, or other personal issues, you won't be able to evaluate risk or make decisions rationally. If you're under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, your physical, emotional, and mental skills will all be impaired and you will not be fit to drive.
Individuals with permanent physical or mental disabilities may not possess the skills necessary to consistently drive in a safe manner. Conditions that lead to inadequate muscular strength, potential loss of muscle control, occasional lapses of consciousness, vision impairments, and an inability to sit still may preclude someone from obtaining a drivers license.
When you apply for your drivers license, you'll be asked to identify any permanent or ongoing physical or mental conditions which may interfere with your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Individuals with impairments must provide a statement from a physician indicating that they are physically and mentally capable of driving safely. If you have a permanent disability or medical condition that may affect your driving, consult your physician about whether or not you should drive. Be sure to identify any medical conditions you have when you apply for a license. If you obtain a license without providing this information, it may be revoked and you may face significant fines and other penalties.
Fatigue can have significant effects on your ability to process and respond to situations in the driving environment. For one thing, you'll find it harder to concentrate on the driving task, so you won't see signs of danger fast enough to avoid a collision. Your mind is likely to wander or even to lose track of what you're currently doing.
When you're tired, you'll have a harder time forming new memories and it will take you longer to recognize changing conditions or a new situation on the road. As a result, it will be harder for you to form a big picture of the road and remember what's going on around you. One of the most potentially dangerous symptoms of fatigue is a loss of judgment. A fatigued driver may attempt to take shortcuts, fail to recognize the risks of his or her actions, or even be unable to realize how close he or she is to falling asleep at the wheel.
Multitasking can be done successfully as long as you follow certain rules for operating your vehicle and controlling its movements. By learning and practicing these procedures, they'll eventually become automatic habits. Familiarize yourself with the position and function of the controls in your car so you can use them without taking your eyes off the road or diverting your attention from the task of driving for more than a moment.
Whenever you have to look away from the roadway (e.g. to look behind you or check your speedometer), scan the road ahead of you and to your sides before and after you take your eyes off the road. Adjust your driving for any potential hazards that may emerge while you are looking elsewhere, such as: Vehicles ahead that have slowed down suddenly Vehicles to your sides changing lanes or merging into your lane Motorcyclists riding in your lane trying to pass you Careless pedestrians that begin crossing your path in the middle of the block
The need to multitask can increase the chance of a collision if you allow yourself to become so distracted by one driving task that you fail to attend to driving environment sufficiently. The more tasks you have to perform, the more difficult it will become to identify risks and the more likely it is you'll be overwhelmed by the number of demands on your attention. If you have to deal with multiple situations simultaneously, you may become distracted and miss important cues. Effective time management is essential to ensure that you don't get overwhelmed by too many tasks at once. By giving yourself more time to process the driving scene, you can figure out how to proceed using the fewest possible tasks.
You can improve your ability to multitask by scanning as much of the driving environment as possible. The more you know about the road ahead, the better you'll be able to anticipate actions you'll have to perform, identify situations likely to become dangerous, avoid maneuvers likely to cause further complications, and determine the most efficient way to proceed safely. If you only react to situations when they're directly in front of you, you may respond in a way that creates more work for you later on.
Any time you deviate considerably from your sleeping and waking habits, your driving performance is likely to be especially impaired. If your sleep schedule is altered (e.g. by jet leg or late night studying), you may experience excessive sleepiness, loss of concentration, poor motor control, slowed reflexes, nausea, and irritability.
You may think that, as a young and energetic teenager, you're less likely to experience fatigue and to suffer the consequences of drowsy driving. In fact, teenagers are the most likely to be involved in a fatal traffic collision as the result of fatigue. Studies suggest that 55% of crashes attributed to a driver falling asleep were caused by drivers 25 years old or younger.
As their physical skills deteriorate, older drivers often begin to drive more slowly and cautiously, and may avoid driving at certain times or in certain traffic situations, such as on busy streets or expressways, in poor weather conditions, or at night. Everyone is entitled to share the road! Be patient with drivers who need more time to perform normal driving tasks. Older drivers adopt more cautious driving strategies because they have to: treat them with the same courtesy you hope to receive when aging begins to affect your own driving.
Your ability to drive may be affected by carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur without your knowledge. Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for about 500 deaths and 15,000 visits to emergency rooms annually. When fuel is burned in the combustion process, carbon monoxide is emitted. You can't smell it, see it, or taste it, but it can make you extremely sick. Carbon monoxide is absorbed through the lungs and transported by the bloodstream to all parts of the body. Carbon monoxide prevents the blood from carrying oxygen to the tissues of the body, which can severely affect the functioning of the heart and the brain.
A sprain or broken bone can significantly impair your ability to drive. Driving requires a certain amount of flexibility and the ability to perform physical tasks rapidly. If your arm is broken or shoulder is sprained, you may have a hard time steering and reaching certain controls, such as the gearshift and parking brake. You may not be able to reach or apply sufficient pressure to the accelerator and brake pedals if your leg is broken or ankle is sprained, especially if the injury involves your right leg. When injured, test your degree of mobility before getting on the road. Don't drive if you have to strain yourself to operate your car.
Your driving can also be affected by any medication you're taking. Every medication can produce undesirable side effects. For instance, many medications can make you drowsy or dizzy or make it harder for you to evaluate the driving situation. Other medications may blur your vision or cause you to experience intense nausea.
