Fatigue at the wheel, a danger unknown

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Frédéric Mercier

Tuesday, 18 July 2017 12:10

UPDATE
Tuesday, 18 July 2017 12:10

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After the alcohol and the speed, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) now attacking the issue more difficult to measure: the fatigue at the wheel.

Too often trivialized, driving with abilities impaired by fatigue should be taken seriously. Each year, on average, 82 deaths and 8574 injured on the roads in quebec are attributable to driver fatigue.

According to the analyses of the SAAQ, spend between 17 and 19 hours of wakefulness consecutive equivalent to the physical and mental abilities comparable to those of a person with a rate of alcohol in the blood of 50 mg/100 ml (0.05).

After 24 hours without sleep, our capabilities compare to those of a person with a bac of 100 mg/100 ml (0,10), which is more than what is allowed by the Law behind a steering wheel.

Read also: A night of six hours can double the risk of an accident

According to the SAAQ, motorists under the age of 30 years, the heavy vehicle drivers, night workers, or with irregular work schedules as well as people suffering from a sleep disorder that is undiagnosed or not treated would be the most at risk of suffering the effects of fatigue in car.

To break down the myths

Against the fatigue, the only cure is sleep. Mount the volume of the radio, lowering the windows, or drinking coffee are not effective solutions, despite some popular beliefs.

To ensure that the message passes, the SAAQ has recently launched a new advertising campaign where the aim is precisely these false remedies against fatigue.

In addition to the advertisement of 30 seconds which will be aired throughout the month of July on YouTube and on the social networks, the advertising campaign also includes two radio spots and two print ads.

SAAQ

SAAQ