Lack of sleep can be as dangerous as boozing
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PE by Guy Sheppard
Drivers who sleep fewer than seven hours a day are more of a road risk than those who have drunk alcohol, according to new research.
A study of 39 drivers, including 30 from a large transport company, found that being awake for between 17 to 19 hours was more detrimental to their performance than haying a blood/alcohol level of 50mg. If they stayed awake longer, performance deteriorated below the standard associated with an alcohol intake of 80mg, the UK legal limit.
The authors, from two universities in Australia and New Zealand, say their findings "reinforce the evidence that the fatigue of sleep deprivation is an important factor likely to corn
promise performance of speed and accuracy of the kind needed for safety on the road".
The volunteers took a series of mental and physical tests with and without drinking alcohol over a period of 28 days.
The authors conclude: "Many people remain awake for periods of 16 hours or more for reasons of work, family or social life. These results suggest that after this duration of wakefulness, fatigue reaches a level that can compromise safe performance."
Their research is published in the current issue of the specialist journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Road safety campaign group Brake says 300 deaths a year are caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel in the UK.
Most people ignore the symptoms of tiredness, without ',easing how quickly sleep ensues," it warns. "The only way to combat tiredness is to stop in a safe place and sleep. Drivers should always take 15-minute breaks every two hours."