Fatigued Driving Prevention

COURSE OVERVIEW

The objective of every driver is to get to their destination unharmed. But managing work, personal life, and social obligations can often conflict with essential self-care routines like getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and regular exercise. Recognizing the significance of sleep and the risks associated with fatigued driving is crucial. Our course, “Fatigued Driving Prevention,” is developed to boost drivers’ comprehension of the necessity of sufficient sleep and its effect on driving fatigue. It specifically addresses the symptoms, triggers, and consequences of fatigue, providing strategies and advice to prevent fatigued driving.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, learners should be able to:

Understand the causes and impacts of fatigue
Identify the reasons behind poor sleep and the advantages of proper sleep
Discuss methods to prevent fatigued driving

OUTLINE

Introduction

Introduction
Learning Objectives

Basics of Fatigue

Understanding Fatigue

Definition of fatigue
Physical or internal causes of fatigue (poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, inadequate sleep, circadian rhythm imbalance, alcohol consumption, certain medications, untreated sleep disorders)
External causes of fatigue (loud sounds, bright lighting, task duration, deadline pressure, adverse weather and road conditions, vehicle malfunctions, long-distance driving, time zone changes, etc.)

Impacts of Fatigue

Physical impacts (delayed reaction time, decreased attentiveness, clumsy movements, frequent yawning, heavy eyelids)
Cognitive and emotional impacts (impaired decision-making ability, memory difficulties)
Signs of fatigued driving (missing exits, swerving, running over a rumble strip)

Sleep

How Much Sleep is Necessary?

Adults typically require 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night

Reasons for Poor Sleep

Pre-sleep habits and diet (caffeine, eating before bed, excessive light exposure, screen time before bed)
Medication and alcohol effects (certain drugs can cause poor sleep)
Sleep disorders (Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, insomnia)

Benefits of Adequate Sleep

Physical (boosts immune system, promotes healing, strengthens bones and muscles)
Mental (increases mental alertness)
Performance (enhances response time, decision-making ability)

Strategies to Avoid Fatigue While Driving

Transitioning back to the road

Differences in getting proper sleep at home versus on the road
Take breaks (decrease task duration)
Maintain a regular schedule (day versus night driving)
Manage the vehicle environment (temperature, eliminate distractions, comfortable seating, appropriate lighting)

What to Do If You’re Fatigued?

Stop driving (pull over, nap before resuming driving)

Conclusion

Summary

ONLINE COURSE DURATION

Approximately 20 minutes

PASS MARK

Testing conducted throughout this online course is designed to reinforce the information presented. A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants are able to repeat the course twice if the pass mark is not achieved.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing.

COURSE PREVIEW