DUIF?

It might be a new acronym drivers will need to learn: Driving Under the Influence of Fatigue.
Some states (not Michigan yet) are considering legislation that would allow police  to charge drowsy drivers with criminal negligence if they injure or kill someone while driving if they have not had adequate sleep.
It speaks to the growing problem of drowsy driving and the related injuries and deaths caused each year by those driving tired.
“It is very important to realize how under-diagnosed and under-reported this issue is,” said Dr. Jeffrey Washington, pulmonology and sleep medicine specialist with Petoskey’s Center for Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. “It’s happening all the time.”
Many times, drowsy driving related accidents occur when the driver experiences a “microsleep,” Washington explained, “a second when you’ve had the head bob, and you may not even  realize it happened, but it’s enough time to drift into the other lane or off the road into a tree.”
Reaction times are also dulled when tired, meaning it might take longer to hit the brake or react if someone pulls out unexpectedly.

Not just shift workers

Those who must work irregular hours — some days, some nights like in the nursing profession, for instance — or who regularly man the night shift may seem like the most at-risk for being involved in an accident caused by fatigue. That is not  necessarily the case, said Washington.
Humans have a “circadian rhythm” — a biological clock that dictates sleeping during the dark and wakefulness during light. That rhythm dips from about 1-4 p.m. each day, explaining the afternoon slump many people experience.
“In many cultures, this is the time of day for rest, but most Americans don’t take a siesta,” Washington said. “And if you’re driving in that time frame, there tends to be a spike in drowsy driving accidents.”
Midnight to 6 a.m. is another danger time for drowsy driving accidents to occur.  Further, teens are especially at risk, the doctor noted. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 55 percent of drowsy driving crashes involve those under 25 years of age. Teens are at high risk because their circadian rhythm is different than in adults. They might not feel tired until considerably later than their parents, but then they are required to get up to be to school by 8 a.m. Considering the number of extracurricular and sports activities available for today’s kids, there is little time left for sleep.
“They have the mindset that they need less sleep, but they need as much sleep as a young child,” Washington said.
Others at risk for nodding off behind the wheel are people on medications that cause drowsiness, including some cold and flu medicines, anti-hypertension, anti-anxiety and anti-depression drugs. Alcohol also has a sedating effect, even “a light amount impairs your ability to safely drive,” Washington said.
Obstructive sleep apnea is also a leading cause behind daytime drowsiness and danger behind the wheel, and it’s a condition Washington said is underdiagnosed. It occurs when a person stops breathing numerous times during sleep and their body wakes them up to start breathing again; often times people may not even be aware it is happening.
“And naturally, they’re going to be tired during the day,” Washington said.
Those with enlarged prostrates who have to use the bathroom frequently in the night, women undergoing menopause and hot flashes, and new parents are all at risk when they’re driving.
And doctors who were once required to pull 30-hour shifts were at extreme risk for drowsy driving accidents themselves, said Washington, 32.
“We would get into work at 7 a.m. and then leave the next day around noon or 1 p.m.,” he recalled. “When I was in my training, a pediatric resident in the same hospital drove home and got into an accident and was killed. In my last year of training, 2006-07, there’s been sweeping legislation throughout the country to not have physicians in training work 24 hours straight or longer. Unfortunately there are still a lot of programs breaking these rules.”

Prevention ideas

Washington offered a few ideas for staying alert while driving, starting with getting “a good eight and a half hours of sleep a night.” Avoiding caffeine during the day and napping can encourage a regular sleep routine.
Also, try to not drive alone if it’s a long trip.
“You hear people say to roll down the window or turn up the radio, but none of those things work,” Washington said. “If you’re tired, rolling down the window won’t keep you awake.”