Accident due to driver fatigueness and its control mechanism

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Road Accident due to Driver Fatigue & Its Control Mechanism

A large number of road crashes occur due to fatigued drivers or drivers experiencing drowsiness while driving. It is a well-admitted fact that, occasionally, drivers operate vehicles while fatigued and may even nod off during the journey. Several reasons contribute to these symptoms. Sometimes, drowsiness may be due to biological needs or the physiological state of the driver.

Sleep is essential for the human body to stay agile and fit. Fatigue, however, is different from drowsiness. Unlike drowsiness, fatigue manifests as a disinclination to continue performing a task (Brown, 1994, p. 239). It may be caused by strenuous physical activity or monotonous and repetitive work engagement.

Statistics on Accidents Due to Driver Fatigue

Some key statistics from various studies on fatigue-related accidents are summarized below:

• A Central Road Research Institute study on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway (300 km) states that 40% of accidents on this corridor occur due to driver drowsiness.
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that fatigue-related crashes caused by drowsy or fatigued truck drivers result in 190 to 580 fatal accidents per year.
• According to NHTSA, the number of annual fatalities due to driver fatigue in 2003 was 1,550.
• In Iran, road accidents caused by driver fatigue range between 20% to 40%.
• Australia also faces similar issues, with fatigue-related fatal crashes making up 15% of heavy vehicle accidents.

Fatigue-related crashes most frequently occur:

• During early morning hours (between 2 AM & 6 AM).
• Just after lunch in the afternoon.

Factors contributing to these crashes include:

• Alcohol intake
• Medications causing drowsiness
• Lack of sufficient sleep
• Driving on monotonous roads

Control Mechanisms

To reduce the risk of accidents caused by driver fatigue, the following measures should be implemented:

• Adequate Sleep & Regular Rest Breaks:
  • Drivers should ensure they get sufficient sleep before long journeys.
  • Rest breaks of at least 15 minutes should be planned every 2 hours.
• Avoiding Early Morning Travel:
  • Journeys between 2 AM and 6 AM should be discouraged.
  • Routes should be well-planned before starting the journey.
  • Congested highways, poor road conditions, and risky routes should be avoided.
• Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions:
  • Traveling during heavy rain, fog, or extreme weather should be strictly avoided.
• Infrastructure-Based Safety Measures:
  • FHWA suggests installing shoulder and centerline rumble strips to warn drivers about lane departures.
  • NHTSA reports that 30-50% of run-off road crashes could be prevented with such safety measures on controlled-access rural roads.
• Technology-Based Safety Measures:
  • Camera-Based Driver Monitoring Systems:
    • Helps detect drowsiness and distracted driving.
    • Works by detecting facial expressions, gaze, and blink patterns.
    • Estimates head pose and 3D angular orientation to assess driver alertness.

However, monitoring driver alertness remains complex due to:

• Individual factors (e.g., driver behavior, cognitive status).
• External factors (e.g., road conditions, driver experience, and lifestyle).