Safety Tip of the Month: Fatigue on the Roadways

The road can be an extremely dangerous place. According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 42,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. One common unsafe act that can lead to accidents on roadways is driving while fatigued.

Driving While Fatigued

We have all been there: Our eyes get heavy, we begin to close them, and then our heads suddenly jerk up after hitting the rumble strips on the side of the road. When this occurs, it will wake an individual up, but only for a short period. Driving while fatigued is an unsafe act that is quite common. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that it causes an estimated 37,000 injury crashes and an estimated 45,000 property damage-only crashes annually. While general fatigue is a major cause, fatigued driving can result from a number of factors. While the most common is lack of sleep, untreated sleep disorders, medications, drinking alcohol or shift work can also result in fatigued driving.

How to Avoid Being Fatigued While Driving

• Get plenty of rest. It is recommended to get a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night.
• If your work schedule is too demanding or the hours you are working are making you feel fatigued every day, talk with a supervisor. Sometimes responsibilities or schedules can be altered to improve productivity and safety.
• It is important to understand the side effects of any medication before using it at work or while driving.
• Take care of your health. Addressing other health issues can improve how you feel both at home and at work.
• Eat a better diet. Food to humans is as gasoline is to a car. If you put dirty gas in your car, it will not run well. The same goes with your body!
• Pull over somewhere safe and take a short nap if you find yourself tired behind the wheel.

Driving is one of the more hazardous tasks we undertake. When you pair it with unsafe acts such as driving while fatigued, you put yourself and everyone around you at risk. Be proactive in preventing fatigue and drowsiness. When it is affecting your ability to drive, pull over and get rest before continuing.