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Friday, December 31, 2010

Driver Reviver and Journey Fatigue



New South Wales police have released footage of a sleepy motorist narrowly escaping a head-on crash with a police car when she drifts to the wrong side of the road. Police are using the footage released yesterday to highlight their message that motorists should stop, revive and survive. The video starts with a view from the front of a patrol car cruising the Golden Highway in the Hunter Valley.

Where the road ahead curves right, an oncoming car appears travelling on the wrong side of the road. The Senior Constable driving the patrol car veers right, avoiding the oncoming car. Police say the 66-year-old female driver later admitted to having a micro sleep.

Police Minister Michael Daley says fatigue accounts for almost 20 per cent of all fatal car accidents. "Watch out for the signs: drowsiness, dry eyes, yawning," he said.

6 comments:

Sharon said...

Aah, micro sleep, that's what it's called. I have been there and luckily, I didn't hit anything. One time, I blinked and as I opened my eyes, I was about 1/4 mile down the road, it was like a skip in a movie clip. I was totally weirded out!

LindaG said...

Everyone knows they should pull over and rest, get a coffee, get out and walk till you feel refreshed; but everyone thinks 'it will never happen to me'.

She was very lucky.

Tiggeriffic said...

Drowsy drivers are very dangerous on the road.. When traveling and I start feeling tired I pull over to an area where I can take a walk or just walk around my car...or if I'm going through a town and see a car wash...I stop and wash my car.. That always helps..
I see in Australia you are having floods.. What a shame...
ta ta for now from Iowa USA...

Steve Bennett said...

I saw a Commodore on the Bruce Hwy do the same thing heading towards me the other day... and just as I was about to take evasive action, the w@#$%r then corrected and returned to his side of the road. I remained where I should have and counted my lucky stars!

Gill - That British Woman said...

I totally agree with this; also make sure you drive with your window open as a heated car will make you sleepy as well.

Happy New Year John,

Gill in Canada

LindaG said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! :-)