Fatigue is associated with 20/30% of road traffic accidents. Its main cause is too long driving without rest. In addition, there are many environmental, vehicle and especially driver variables that can contribute to its appearance or enhance its impact.
If we prolong fatigue over time, doctors warn that there is a chance that we will develop chronic fatigue (if we have had coronavirus, we are likely to suffer from it), which is even more dangerous due to the constant exposure that it exerts on our body.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex disorder of unknown cause that can seriously affect quality of life. they explain. In addition to severe fatigue that does not improve during rest, it is associated with other general manifestations, such as problems with concentration or memory.
When we get into a vehicle, this syndrome can be fatal if we don’t put into practice the DGT’s recommendations to combat fatigue driving, which is the cause of so many accidents every year.
To combat chronic fatigue, the best strategy to counteract the effects of fatigue is to take regular rest, as explained by the Highway Traffic Authority, although this is not always treated in this way.
Chronic fatigue is a very important road safety issue for two reasons:
- If you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome due to workload or improper sleep, over time you can easily get into an accident.
- Driving can also be a major source of fatigue for people who, by virtue of their work, have to spend many hours behind the wheel. In them, the risk of an accident can be very high.
Both situations are dangerous and are associated with numerous traffic accidents. And the DGT talks specifically about six driving disorders if we suffer from this syndrome.
Altered vision: your vision may become blurry, causing trouble focusing on objects in your field of vision and causing a pronounced decrease in visual acuity.
Hearing impairment: you may experience harsh and exaggerated reactions to some sudden sounds (for example, sudden braking at the sound of a horn).
Change in bodily sensations: Small migraines and pressure sensations often occur in the head, especially in the temples.
The alternation of movements: your movements will be slower, less precise, and less efficient, which can easily put you in danger. The number of maneuvers you perform also tends to decrease (for example, the direction is usually corrected fewer times).
conduct violation: There is a reluctance to get behind the wheel, so you start to drive automated and much less active (less than you pay attention to the road). You can take more risks behind the wheel. You are less critical of their behavior at the wheel.
Changing the decision: reduces the quantity and quality of the information you collect from the environment due to changes in vision, hearing and in your attention systems. You can easily misinterpret the traffic situation or the behavior of other people.
To combat all of this, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep, exercise to stay healthy and in a good mood, and eat well. On this last point, we leave you with a fantastic article to let you know which foods can help you get rid of fatigue while eating.
Source: Computer Hoy
