Microsleep and effects on driving.

All people at some point in their lives have experienced this phenomenon, which will rarely exceed 15 seconds.

But when you are home on the couch or at a school or tavern and in various other places where there is absolutely no danger then there is no problem.

But what if this phenomenon occurs during driving?

Then the consequences can be either just fear that the driver will wake up and reflexively stop the car to calm down, or even if it happens in a bad place then the consequences can be even dramatic.

The biggest mistake of the driver is not to stop the vehicle immediately but to try to reach his predetermined course, then in a large percentage in a few minutes it will happen again and then he may not look lucky.

Short sleep can be present either after a night out for any reason or after a long activity that does not change performances, or after fatigue, or after periods of intermittent sleep, or after repetitive activities.

Experts say that there is no medication that can eliminate this phenomenon.

But we could give some tips to reduce the phenomenon of microsleep.

• Like getting enough rest if we have to drive for a long time.
• If we feel that our little sleep will happen, we should stop immediately for rest, and know that it will definitely happen again if we hurry and do not sleep for at least 15 minutes.
• To make our route properly so that we have rest at regular intervals.
• To encourage fellow passengers not to sleep and to have an active participation in discussions together.
• Some vehicles have systems that inform drivers in situations where the vehicle deviates from its course, but it would be good not to rest all these systems are ancillary.
• It will be good to make proper use of the air conditioning and to renew the air in the cabin at regular intervals.
• When we feel tired leave the windows a little open.
• It would be good to have a coffee with us.
• Or an energy drink, which some especially young people prefer.
• Many new vehicles have such safety systems that they can even stop completely if their sensor reads a low sleep state.

It would be good if someone while he has taken several hours of sleep and rest this phenomenon happens to talk to his doctor.

By Manolis Gialitakis