Drivers aged 35-44 sleep less than usual, almost 50% of them sleep only 5-6 hours a day. Only 33% get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep, which affects driving safety. In addition, the quality of sleep has deteriorated, leading to an increase in fatal driving accidents, especially at night.

These are some of the results of a recent study of driver fatigue conducted by the UK’s largest charity Nuffield Health among 8,000 adults. It also found that the quality of sleep has deteriorated in 74% over the past 12 months, with one in ten sleeping only 2-4 hours a night and one in four suffering from insomnia. This can lead to fatigue while driving. It is estimated that falling asleep at the wheel causes about 300 deaths a year in the UK alone, and that drivers are particularly susceptible to fatigue on long journeys during the winter evening hours.

AA (The Automobile Association) in another survey of 20,000 drivers found that 13% of them admitted to falling asleep at the wheel while driving at some point. Nearly 40% of drivers reported feeling so tired behind the wheel that they couldn’t stay awake the entire drive, and 57% said they stopped when they realized they were too tired to keep driving. Young drivers (18-24 years old) are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel, not because of lack of experience, but because of their lifestyle. On the other hand, of particular concern is the fact that 18% of young drivers said they would continue to drive even when they were tired.

The causes of tired driving are not only late nights and entertainment, but also various health problems, such as diabetes, depression and increased anxiety, which can negatively affect sleep. On the other hand, lifestyle choices such as poor diet, lack of sleep, drug and alcohol use, and late night sports can all lead to fatigue. There is evidence to suggest that the increase in anxiety and depression due to the pandemic has negatively impacted sleep quality.

Today, several new car models, desiring to provide a solution to this important problem, carry technology that predicts driver fatigue and audibly prompts them to stop for coffee. Cameras on the dashboard monitor the driver’s eyes and intervene if necessary, in some cases even stopping the car. This technology is gradually being introduced into an increasing number of models, while it is constantly evolving, improving and helping to increase the level of safety while driving.

RES-EMI