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Company description::
SLEEP, FATIGUE AND MEDICAL TRAINING
I attended this October 2001 conference in Alexandria, VA.. The discussion topic was what could be done to cut down on the long hours and resulting fatigue problems medical residents endured. The conversation also addressed the alarming statistics of not only residents, but also the public falling asleep behind the wheel on their commute home.
Myself, having come up the ranks starting as a night sleep tech, knew all too well about drowsy driving. I decided I would like to help with cutting down on drowsy driving in society. The question was how?
On my drive home to N.Y. at the conclusion of the conference I took notice of the big truckstops in the area. There is much debate about truckers and their driving excessive hours. My reasoning has always been truckers are the only true professional drivers on the road. They log thousands of miles each and every week of their careers. I believe most of the drivers operate their vehicles safely.
So, to me, who would be better to talk to about drowsy driving?
I decided right there on my drive to stop. I spent the next 5 days in motels near big truckstops and talked to 200 drivers.
I presented my findings in an abstract: “Asleep At The Wheel” which was a poster presentation at the 2002 APSS meeting in Seattle. It was also published in the 25th Anniversary edition of SLEEP. I had hoped for some results for my effort but none was ever received.
It is of utmost urgency that all commuters understand the conclusions of my impromptu survey of professional truck drivers. I ask my sleep colleagues help with spreading this information.
You can email me at robert@sleepebooks.com and I will send you a copy of the abstract. The following, however, is the basic conclusion of my effort:
An unusally high percentile of the truckers I talked to agreed:
When it becomes difficult to drive because of drowsiness:
1. Park safely off the road. This actually angered some truckers because cars often pull on the shoulder of the road, not far enough away from the road, allowing themselves to be a victim of another drivers brief distraction or drowsiness.
2. Eyes closed head down on steering wheel or tilt back your seat, preferably in an uncomfortable position, to facilitate waking.
3. Sleeping for as little as 15 MINUTES CAN INCREASE ALERTNESS FOR 30 MINUTES AND MORE!
Please understand my feelings on this statement.
1. I have used this technique numerous times since the survey with unwavering results of improved alertness and safe arrival at my destination.
2. Our fast moving society may use this simple, effective technique as “it only takes a few minutes” to achieve enough alertness to get home safely.
3. The average American commute is less than 1 hour making this small alertness gain huge.
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