Drowsy driving cause for concern

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Fazzini
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) --  In July 2004, three Airmen at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and the 16-year-old brother of one of them were involved in an automobile accident that changed their lives forever. It was an accident that Air Force safety officials said is all too familiar -- falling asleep at the wheel.

What started out as a 1,140-mile "road trip" to Las Vegas with friends over a three-day weekend, turned into tragedy as one of them suffered fatal head injuries when the sport utility vehicle they were riding in left the road and rolled multiple times.

While two of the Airmen received a safety briefing from their flight chief before the start of the extended weekend, their decision to make the trip despite having just worked a full day shift and not getting the appropriate rest proved costly.

The foursome left Spokane, Wash., at about 8 p.m. They alternated driving duties to allow for adequate rest, a decision most would say was smart.

"Most people think that if you alternate drivers you'll be able to stay refreshed enough to drive beyond your normal limits," said Richard Garsnett, Air Mobility Command's traffic safety manager. "While there are some people who can get sound enough sleep while someone else drives, most don't achieve the appropriate level required to maintain good focus and control behind the wheel. In the Fairchild mishap, rotating drivers wasn't enough."

At 5:40 a.m., the driver apparently dozed off. At mile marker 391 near Plymouth, Utah, the vehicle departed the paved surface, crossed over the southbound on-ramp, and off the west side of the interstate. The driver overcorrected, struck a delineator post, skidded across the southbound lane and began to roll. The vehicle came to rest upside down near the east side of the median. The driver died.

Just like in the 2004 accident, fatigue and falling asleep at the wheel continue to account for numerous motor vehicle accidents each year. Conservative numbers put accidents caused by drowsy driving at about 100,000 annually nationwide, Mr. Garsnett said.

"Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence," he said. "When you're tired, your reaction time slows, your awareness decreases and your judgment is impaired; just like it is after consuming alcohol.

"Unfortunately, 2005 has seen its fair share of drowsy driving-related accidents," he said.

In an accident earlier this month, a senior airman was seriously injured when the vehicle she was driving drifted off the road.

The initial investigation revealed the senior airman worked three 12- to 14-hour shifts before the accident, which occurred 13 hours after she got off duty. The accident occurred about seven hours and 412 miles from her home station.

"It's likely the senior airman didn't get the required sleep or rest after her extended work schedule," said Doug Morton, AMC chief of ground safety. "And, she still had another 200-plus miles to go on her 600-plus mile trip."

Mr. Morton said it is common for Airmen to push themselves, especially on three-day weekends or over holiday breaks.

"They think they can make it, that they won't lose focus or fall asleep," he said.

According to an article on the AAA Web site, nearly half of accidents attributed to drowsy driving happen between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The article went on to say the biological urge to sleep peaks after midnight; however, many people also experience a slump in the middle of the afternoon, particularly after a heavy lunch.

In addition, drivers who have had less than six hours of sleep the night before or who have remained awake 20 hours or more are at a higher risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

"Driving long, straight stretches of highway place drivers at an increased risk as well, especially when they're already fatigued and drowsy," Mr. Morton said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and AAA recommend drivers and passengers be on the alert for the following driver symptoms: trouble keeping eyes open; day dreaming; yawning; drifting from one lane to another; tailgating; missing signs or exits; and irritability and restlessness.

"It only takes a couple seconds to doze off. Those seconds could set a driver on a course they can't negotiate out of," Mr. Morton said. "If passengers are paying attention to the driver's condition that might be all that's needed to prevent a possible mishap."

To avoid potential disaster, safety officials also recommend getting a good night's rest before beginning a road trip; protecting one's eyes from glare by using sunglasses; avoiding alcohol and heavy meals; stopping every two hours for rest, a stretch and a light snack; and traveling with a passenger who can share the driving duties.

"If you feel drowsy, pull over in a well-traveled area or rest stop, turn off the engine, and secure your windows and doors," Mr. Garsnett said. "Rest for at least 20 minutes, then take a walk so you can assess your fatigue or drowsiness level."

Mr. Garsnett also recommends drivers wear seat belts, follow posted speed limits, and reduce speed and increase stopping and following distances during inclement weather.

Besides these tips, planning how much to drive in one day can help prevent an accident. According to Joint Federal Transportation regulations, it is recommended drivers only drive 350 miles per day.

"If you are the lone driver, driving farther than 350 miles in a single day increases your likelihood of being in an accident," Mr. Garsnett said.

"The bottom line is to not take any chances with drowsiness, because sleepiness often creeps up on a driver without any warning," he said. "Don't continue your trip if you're not refreshed." (Courtesy of AMC News Service)