Travel Safely, Avoid Drowsiness on the Roads!

Following the tragic news of an entire family's death last weekend in Sooretama, northern Espírito Santo, where the driver collided head-on with a truck after entering the wrong lane alone, indications suggest that the cause of the crash may have been drowsiness at the wheel.

“As the family was from the countryside of Rio de Janeiro and was heading to Bahia, either the driver fell asleep at the wheel, or it could have been a sudden health issue, and this raises the alert we make regarding the holiday period,” says Sleep Medicine Specialist and president of the Brazilian Sleep Association - Regional ES, Jessica Polese.

“With parties and holidays, people take risks with drowsiness on the roads after nights out or without proper rest, while campaigns against the combination of alcohol and driving are becoming increasingly effective, other causes of accidents still need to be addressed to raise public awareness,” the doctor states.

Drowsiness is one of the main causes of traffic accidents, and during this early year period, it is one of the leading reasons for these accidents that can result in fatalities. “In addition to people who are traveling for leisure, there are cases of drivers who work in shifts or drive for longer hours than recommended,” emphasizes Jessica.

The use of stimulants is one of the concerns in the medical field. “They can make the individual very agitated, and that is not a good thing in traffic, plus the drug does not lose its effect gradually, but rather very quickly, catching the driver by surprise. They do not realize they are getting sleepy, and when they notice, they have already fallen asleep because they were already very tired and should have stopped driving when they felt the need to take stimulants,” explains the specialist.

According to the specialist, the ideal way to hit the road is to sleep for six to eight hours before taking the wheel. “It’s no use taking short naps, and if the trip is very long, stop at a safe place to stretch your legs and rest; remember that sleeping is not a luxury, but a matter of safety,” highlights Jessica.