Extended Nighttime Driving Hazardous Finds Research
The research study presented at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies has proved that unlimited driving at night impairs an individual’s driving performance. The study, presented at the SLEEP 2008, is based on a study on 14 young men. They drove in three nocturnal driving sessions (3 to 5 a.m., 1 to 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) on an open highway. Inappropriate line crossings in the last hour of driving of each session, sleep variables, self-perceived fatigue and sleepiness were analyzed.
According to the results, compared to the 3 to 5 a.m. driving session, the incidence of inappropriate line crossings increased by 2.6 in the 1 to 5 a.m. driving session and by 4.0 in the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. driving session. Compared to the reference session (9 to 10 p.m.), the incidence rate ratio of inappropriate line crossings were 6.0 in the 3 to 5 a.m. driving session, 15.4 in the 1 to 5 a.m. driving session and 24.3 in the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. driving session. Several factors like fatigue and sleepiness are both correlated to driving impairment in the 1 to 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. driving sessions.
The Associated Professional Sleep Societies recommend to have a sleep of seven or eight hours. The Association has given some tips on sound sleep. Readers please take it:
* Follow a consistent bedtime routine.
* Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.
* Get a full night’s sleep every night.
* Avoid foods or drinks that contain caffeine, as well as any medicine that has a stimulant, prior to bedtime.
* Do not bring your worries to bed with you.
* Do not go to bed hungry, but don’t eat a big meal before bedtime either.
* Avoid any rigorous exercise within six hours of your bedtime.
* Make your bedroom quiet, dark and a little bit cool.
* Get up at the same time every morning.
Source: OH & S
Filed under Health
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