Many factors increase the risk for motor vehicle crashes during the summer vacation season, and many of them relate directly to our behaviors. As I noted in a recent entry, I'm especially concerned about the dangers of drowsy driving (please watch this video and tell me about your reaction).
Sleep deprivation is an obvious problem, yet it still accounts for a huge number of accidents and fatalities. People often drive after getting insufficient sleep and then fail to stop and rest after beginning to feel drowsy. Opening the windows, turning up the radio, and stretching usually don't help for more than a few minutes. People also tend to drink more alcohol when vacationing and more vehicles crowd the roads. Add to all this the growing epidemic of road rage.
Drowsy drivers can quickly lapse into inattention. Missing exits and not remembering driving the past few miles are strong warning signs. By the time people are nodding off and their eyelids are drooping, they are pretty far gone and have become a serious danger to themselves and others. It takes only seconds to veer off the road or into oncoming traffic.
Those preparing to drive a long distance must get plenty of sleep for several days before the trip and then take frequent breaks while on the road. Having someone to share the driving with can also make a big difference in safety. Avoiding alcohol and being cautious about sedating medications are obvious imperatives.
Although driving through the night because the roads are less crowded may sound appealing, nighttime is also when we are most likely to fall asleep at the wheel. I remember driving through the night up and down the East Coast with my friend Pete back in the early 1970s. We'd take turns driving, but we'd still be nodding off in the middle of the night. We're lucky to have survived.
Caffeine may boost alertness for a few hours, especially for people who typically do not drink large amounts of caffeinated beverages. Sometimes following a caffeinated drink with a nap can offer extra benefits upon awakening.
Interestingly, even the Vatican has recently addressed this topic of safety on the highways. On June 19, 2007, the Vatican issued a document entitled, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care on the Road," which includes a "Drivers' Ten Commandments." Among these are "You shall not kill," "Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events," and "Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so." The lengthy accompanying document discusses the dangers of road rage, driving while exhausted or sleepy, and driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
We can't turn the clock back to undo the consequences of car crashes, but we can do a lot to prevent them from occurring. Enjoy the summer, but do it prudently.
