What are the factors that cause fatigued driving?
2 Answers
The specific factors that cause fatigued driving are as follows: 1. Sleep quality: Going to bed too late, insufficient sleep time, poor sleep quality; noisy sleeping environment that cannot guarantee good sleep. 2. In-car environment: Poor air quality, poor ventilation; excessively high or low temperatures; severe noise and vibration; improper seat adjustment; tense relationships with fellow passengers. 3. External environment: Driving during evening, early morning, or late-night hours; poor road conditions; monotonous road conditions with little variation; driving in weather conditions such as sandstorms, rain, fog, or snow. 4. Driving conditions: Long-duration and long-distance driving. 5. Physical condition: Poor physical strength and endurance; weak constitution or suffering from certain chronic diseases; taking medications that are contraindicated for driving; special physiological periods for women (menstruation, pregnancy). 6. Medication effects: Avoid driving while taking medications. Since medications can relax the nerves and cause drowsiness, it is advised not to drive.
Having driven long-haul trucks for over a decade, I've encountered numerous factors contributing to fatigue driving. Sleep deprivation is the number one enemy—if you hit the road after only four or five hours of sleep, your brain simply isn't alert. Endless driving hours on monotonous routes dull your vigilance, and your eyes start to droop. Then there's the issue of meals—surviving on just chips or burgers causes blood sugar spikes and crashes, leaving you feeling sluggish. Dehydration is even worse; holding back on water to avoid bathroom breaks leads to mental fog. I make it a habit to stop every two hours to drink water and stretch my legs—this has saved me countless times. Medication effects are significant too—some cold medicines can leave you drowsy, so always read the labels carefully. Environmental factors also play a crucial role; stuffy cabins or driving through pitch-black nights drain energy twice as fast. Never underestimate these risks—before each trip, make a checklist to ensure adequate rest and balanced meals for a safe journey home.
