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May 10, 2007	Member News
Drowsy drivers put themselves and others at risk: 2nd Fatigue Impairment Awareness Day kicks off with Driver Fatigue Symposium Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Every year, more than 400 Canadians die and more are injured because drivers take the wheel despite being drowsy or tired. In fact, at least 20% of Canadians admit they have nodded off at the wheel in the past 12 months. Driver fatigue impairment is not just a problem for long-distance truck or bus drivers; it can affect all drivers. In most Canadian jurisdictions police have the power to temporarily suspend the license of a driver with a 0.5 BAC. << - How can we deal with this growing problem? - How can drivers recognize the signs of fatigue impairment and take preventative action? - What can governments do? - Can the police play a role? >> These issues will be discussed at the Driver Fatigue Symposium on May 16. The industry event is hosted by the Highway Safety Roundtable and sponsored by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). Media are invited to attend. << ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date/Time: Wednesday, May 16 - 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Location: Toronto 1 Ballroom, Hilton Toronto, 145 Richmond Street West ------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> The Honourable Donna Cansfield, Ontario Minister of Transportation, will give the keynote address. Other speakers include: << - Mark Yakabuski, VP, Federal Affairs & Ontario, IBC - Alison Smiley, PhD, President, Human Factors North - Leo Tasca, PhD, Team Leader - Special Projects, Ontario Ministry of Transportation - Yoassry Elzohairy, PhD, Senior Safety Research Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Transportation - Henry Moller, MD, Physician-Researcher and Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry >> The Highway Safety Roundtable includes the Brewers of Canada, Canada Safety Council, Canadian Automobile Association, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Railway Association of Canada and Tourism Industry Association of Canada. Note to editors: A backgrounder on Driver Fatigue Impairment will be available via CNW and from IBC media contacts on May 10. << Media Backgrounder - Driver Fatigue Impairment >> What is Fatigue Impairment? Most people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving but don't realize that driving while drowsy can be just as fatal. Like alcohol, fatigue slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases the risk of crashing. In fact, studies show that if you go without sleep for 17 hours straight, you suffer from a level of impairment that is equal to having a blood alcohol level of .05%. If you go without sleep for 24 hours, the impairment is equal to having a .1% blood alcohol level. The Criminal Code of Canada specifies that the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.08%. What causes Fatigue Impairment? There are many underlying causes of fatigue, including: << - too little sleep; - interrupted or fragmented sleep; - chronic sleep debt (too little, or poor-quality sleep over an extended period of time); - long periods of time awake and/or time spent on task; - ignoring your internal clock (e.g., some people are less alert in the middle of the afternoon); - time of day; - extreme/irregular driving patterns or work schedules; - undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders; - use of medications that have sedative effects; and - consumption of alcohol when already tired. >> These factors have cumulative effects and a combination of any of these while driving can greatly increase one's risk of a fatigue-related crash. Who is most at risk? << - commercial vehicle drivers - new/young drivers, especially young men - shift and split-shift workers - people suffering from sleep disorders - drivers whose lifestyle affects the quality and quantity of their sleep >> What are the signs of driver fatigue? << - loss of concentration - irritability - drowsiness and yawning - missing road signs - slow reactions - drifting out of your lane - sore or tired eyes - nodding off - boredom >> What are the effects of Driver Fatigue Impairment? At least 20% of Canadians - an estimated 4.1 million people - admit they have nodded off at the wheel in the past 12 months. Every year, more than 400 Canadians die and more are injured because of drowsy or tired drivers. How can Driver Fatigue Impairment be prevented? Here are some simple things you can do to make sure you stay awake and alert behind the wheel: << - Start your trip well rested. - Plan the trip in a way that lets you maximize periods of sleep and rest. - Plan breaks every two hours. - Avoid driving between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. - If you're out late, sleep over or call a taxi. - When driving long distances, take frequent breaks. Stop to stretch, or just to give your mind a break. - Most importantly, if you notice you're tired, pull off the road to a safe spot and have a nap. >> What is being done to reduce fatigue-related accidents? Canada's official strategy to fight fatigue impairment was adopted in December 2004. It is part of Road Safety Vision: 2010, a plan to make Canada's highways the safest in the world. The strategy is based on lessons learned from past campaigns that aimed to encourage seatbelt use and prevent drinking and driving. The strategy document sets out objectives in terms of: << - research - road infrastructure/ - public education and awareness standards - role of enforcement - legislative/regulatory initiatives >> Historically, there have been few programs in Canada to counter drowsy driving. In contrast, the United Kingdom and Australia have been running public service announcements and educational programs since 1999. The Driver Fatigue Symposium presented by the Highway Safety Roundtable is a step in the direction of Canada's Road Safety Vision, as it aims to educate Canadians about dangerous driving habits, including driving while fatigued. The Highway Safety Roundtable is composed of the Brewers of Canada, Canada Safety Council, Canadian Automobile Association, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Railway Association of Canada, and Tourism Industry Association of Canada. << For more information on Driver Fatigue Impairment, please visit www.fatigueimpairment.ca/ >>
Contact Information: Ellen Woodger at (416) 483-2358 James Geuzebroek, IBC, at 416-362-2031


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