The most general factors that cause fatigue are lack of sleep, bad quality sleep and sleep demands induced by the internal body clock. Besides these general factors, prolonged driving (time-on-task) can increase driver fatigue, especially when drivers do not take sufficient breaks.
Driver fatigue can be as dangerous as drink driving. It affects your concentration and judgement, and slows your reaction time. Research shows that being awake for about 17 hours has a similar effect on your driving as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05.
Driver fatigue, defined as driving while feeling sleepy, physically or mentally tired, or lacking energy, is a major heavy vehicle safety hazard. Not getting enough sleep, driving at night, and being awake for a long time are the main causes of fatigue.
Keep the driver's area cool and well ventilated. Vary driving speeds. Sing or listen to the radio to keep alert. Avoid alcohol and medications that can cause drowsiness.
One of the biggest risks of driving while tired is poor judgment. That poor judgment often means a drowsy driver doesn't even realize that they are too fatigued to be behind the wheel. Frequent yawning and heavy eyes aren't the only warning signs that drivers should watch out for.
Driver drowsiness detection systems can use cameras, eye tracking sensors and other hardware to monitor visual cues, where drowsiness can be detected through yawning frequency, eye-blinking frequency, eye-gaze movement, head movement and facial expressions.
Shift workers, especially those who work the night shift, a rotating shift or more than one job. Commercial drivers, especially those who drive a high number of miles at night. Drivers with untreated sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea) Business travelers who spend many hours driving.
A lack of sufficient sleep or feeling of weariness can diminish alertness and concentration, meaning that drivers are less able to recognize oncoming hazards. Reaction times are slowed, as well as the decision-making process. All these can lead to accidents, or make them more severe.
A fatigued driver will have reduced reaction times, impaired decision making and make riskier choices. Loss of attention and focus (drifting over lanes or changing speed without intention) are signs of fatigue, as are the more obvious signs like yawning and heavy eyes.
Fatigue is a major cause of road crashes. and could be as dangerous as drink-driving. Tired drivers have slower reaction times and suffer from reduced attention, awareness, and ability to control their vehicles.
Fatigue is regarded as having an impact on work performance. Government of Alberta, Labour* reports that most incidents occur when people are more likely to want sleep - between midnight and 6 am, and between 1 to 3 pm.
Fatigue can be a normal and important response to physical activity, emotional stress, boredom, or lack of sleep. Fatigue is a common symptom, and it is usually not due to a serious disease.
Fatigue life is influenced by a variety of factors, such as temperature, surface finish, metallurgical microstructure, presence of oxidizing or inert chemicals, residual stresses, scuffing contact (fretting), etc.
The risk of driver fatigue is highest between 2am and 6am, and again in the afternoon between 2pm and 4pm. At these times, the internal body clock promotes sleepiness.
A long while ago, I was at an MS seminar listening to a nurse talk about fatigue. She spoke about different types of fatigue and how our symptoms might vary after we've experienced each kind. She listed six types of fatigue: social, emotional, physical, pain, mental, and chronic illness.
The most common physical symptoms of anxiety include fatigue, increased heart rate, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, muscle aches, muscle weakness, headaches, digestion, discomfort and tingling sensations.