Artful Dodger:
I took part in that research!
Did three hours driving on a simulated (very boring) motorway, on my own, in silence, after 24 hours without sleep:
I crashed after 1hr 45, in a traffic jam
Did the same thing again, had a bottle of 'energy drink' 30 mins before starting, and then another 90 mins in:
Didn't crash, but had two "Oh ****!" moments where i very nearly didn't react to the brakelights ahead of me.
So it just about worked for me on that occasion, and i got £80 for my troubles too :-)
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And those whose work is suitable for doing it at home will find that it is very difficult with young children in the house!
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Ask around your office. Maybe someone else lives near you or on the same route and can give you a lift. You would then be able to return the favour for them when your life settles down again.
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Sleep with ear-plugs and in another room of the house that is as far from the baby as possible.
As for driving while sleepy, stick a finger in your nose then prop up your arm by resting your elbow on the steering wheel. When you get increasingly drowsy your head will rest more on your finger and the pain will wake you up.
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I take it that's a joke?
If sipping water from a bottle while stationary at traffic lights is deemed unsafe then what would plod have to say about that?
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In all honesty I didn't expect him to actually try it, but the person who told me about it was very serious and used the technique many times. He was an truck driver and regularly had to put in 20 hour days behind the wheel to earn good money.
Are you kidding about being done for drinking behind the wheel when stationary?. I regularly do that and had no idea it was against the law. Never heard of such a law, or one regarding driving with a finger in your nose.
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Are you kidding about being done for drinking behind the wheel when stationary?. I regularly do that and had no idea it was against the law. Never heard of such a law, or one regarding driving with a finger in your nose.
It was a notorious court case a while back. A woman stopped at a traffic light and was thirsty so she took a sip from the bottle that was in the cupholder on the dash.
An oficer ticketed her for not being in full control of the vehicle while driving. She appealed. I think the full grounds of appeal were "Err, I was stationary?! Hello?" (or something like that anyway).
The appeal was refused - she was technically driving and was distracted by the drink. Therefore she was a danger to other road users and was convicted.
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Don't forget that many energy-boost foods and drinks give a short-term boost, but once this is over can leave you feeling worse than before.
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I have never actually nodded off at the wheel, but have had odd moments of near-sleep, and it is very very scary.
I don't think the seriousness of this condition can be overemphasised. You have to ask yourself, 'how useful would I be as a father if I kill myself on the road?'
And what about the other children you might orphan too?
Sorry, but I think to press on after feeling the sensation of sleep coming on is akin to driving knowing you are totally drunk. I cannot think of any circumstances that would justify it.
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I'll see if I can find someone to get a lift from for a while although I've tried it before with little success. My job often requires me to be 'flexable' with my leaving time.
I'm not keen on having loads of Red bull etc, but I'll keep some aside in case of emergency.
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I loathe coke with as much vengeance as I loathe the Government.
But I always have a can or two in the car, and find that when it reaches that stage the combination of sugar and caffeine is just what I need. I perversely also like the taste when in that state!
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I'm minded of one of those ducumentaries following the police about. It was shown years ago but it stuck with me to this day.
Motorway, and a chap had his windows open. Papers from his briefcase blew over the road; and he pulled into the hard shoulder and kept diving into the road to get them.
Calm Policeman:"That's incredibly stupid"
Angry Bloke:"I'll lose my job if I don't get them, don't you understand?"
Calm Policeman:"You can get always get another job. You can't get another life."
I'm not saying you should give up your job, OldPeculiar! I'm just saying sometimes one stops and weigh things up a bit is all, and it sounds like you've done that.
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i used to work night shifts at a company 19 miles from home,some shifts seemed like they would never end, especially about 3-4 in the morning. some times how i got home i honestly don't know, but in 18 yrs i was lucky enough to get home safetly without either falling asleep at the wheel,or running off the road. there were times however, when i suddenly seemed to come off auto-pilot and think how did i get here! i don't remember driving past x+y, or coming through z,...scary really.
billy.
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I think one of the problems Cliff is that even if you don't actually fall asleep your driving performance is still impared through tiredness. If I was literally nodding off then I agree with you and wouldn't drive but that's not generally the case. It's much harder to quantify how the risks change when your simply very tired and not concentrating too well.
I do try and maintain a proper 'work life balance' and consider what other options there are but you can't always get what you want.
I think one of my most tired drives was when I was in Chicago last summer. I'd been at work for 36 hours without any sleep and had to drive the hire car to the airport so I could catch a flight. I managed okay and wasn't to sleepy on the drive but I was fast asleep before the plane had left the tarmc.
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I totally sympathise OldPeculiar. I am in the same situation - new baby born in Dec and a 90 mile commute to work.
The first few weeks after Xmas I found very difficult. I seem to have got round the tiredness (touch wood) by having a flask of coffee in the car - it's a trendy Bodum thingy that works like a 1 mug cafettiere with a drinking spout. Finally found a use for those cup holders! (I drink from it whilst waiting in queues or when there is no other traffic in close proximity - no lectures please!). Also I have eased up on my speed - now cruise at 70-80 instead of 90ish. This seems to ease some of the stress from driving so I get home feeling less tired, and has the added benefit of improving fuel consumption from 47 to 52mpg.
If you can find a comedy show on the radio (6.30pm R4) that usually does the trick for me too.
These are my ways of dealing with it - I hope you can find your own.
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To my shame, over the years I have nodded off at least three times whilst driving, with the resultant swerve waking me up (very alert indeed!) I was young and stupid, I still am stupid but not as young. Now, whatever the circumstances, sleepy or not, I never drive for more than one hour. If on the motorway I stop at every second service station, park as far away from the buildings as possible and walk to them by the longest route. I have a black coffee. Plays havoc with my bladder, but I keep awake.
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I also find listening to radio keeps me more alert than listening to my CDs, with which I am familiar. I usually listen to my local BBC station or Radio 4 on the way home so I can catch the news without the irritation of advertising. Something with conversation, debate, even a radio play or book of the week - they're all unknown, so likely to engage the brain a bit more. The Just A Minute show is a lifesaver!
I posted on here about a year ago about my experience of falling asleep at the wheel. I was tired at the time due to overwork and too little sleep the previous night, but oddly did not feel particularly sleepy at the time it happened - probably the fact that I'd been in a cold office all day and had the heat in the car up full blast had something to do with it. On the basis of distance travelled, it was about 10 seconds later that my wife rang me (for which I am eternally grateful), waking me into a state of utter shock at the realisation of what happened. It was an extremely lucky escape, and has made me much more aware of my fatigue levels. A few times since, I have decided to pull over to close my eyes - even if I didn't sleep, being able to stop concentrating and let go for a few minutes does make a difference. It's well worth the extra journey time - think of it as an investment in your future.
andymc
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OldPeculiar,
first of all congratulations to you and your wife and a pre-emptive welcome to LittlePeculiar.
I don't have kids so I can't advise you on that score. I do have plenty of experience of early mornings and late nights though.
The best advice I can give you is to get up in plenty of time even if you're absolutely knackered. Don't be in a rush to get out of the house.
Have a good breakfast.
Set off in plenty of time so that you're not stressed by traffic holdups.
Take a few short naps during the day when things are quiet. A half-hour snooze in your car at lunchtime can work wonders.
Get a few minutes of fresh air before setting off home.
Chill out, Mrs Peculiar's probably had a hard day too!
Best wishes, Kevin...
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