Arrive Alive!

  • Published
  • By Major Michael Edwards
  • 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Look out everybody, its summertime...a period in the year we all long for! For the most part, the weather is very favorable and most people wander the countryside and celebrate the freedom that summer brings. Many people take to the highways in search of destinations for fun, rest, relaxation or meeting up with loved ones who live close, but not so close. In our present economy, over 33% of vacationers take to the highways versus airline travel to save money. It is a beautiful thing; until people start to overextend themselves while driving and placing their lives and others at risk.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, "over 60% of adult drivers, about 168 million people, say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year, and more than one-third, (37% or 103 million people), have actually fallen asleep at the wheel! In fact, of those who have nodded off, 13% say they have done so at least once a month. Four percent, approximately eleven million drivers, admit they have experienced a crash or near-miss crash because they dozed off or were too tired to drive." Some have even driven long distances after completing a full day of work subjecting themselves to dangerous conditions while being extremely fatigued. Being elite military personnel, we are used to overcoming our limits by any means necessary to make the mission happen. While this may sometimes be a condition for mission accomplishment, it can be DEADLY when overextending your limits while traveling long distances in a motor vehicle.

Let's take a look at some facts about Drowsy Driving according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. First, over 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year resulting in approximately 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary loss. Young men and shift workers present the highest risk. Drowsy driving is another form of distracted driving. Drivers experiencing drowsiness do not apply their full attention to the driving task. Driving requires a person to be alert of their actions and surroundings at all times. Sleepiness and driving is a dangerous combination. Most people are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving but don't realize that drowsy driving can be just as fatal. Sleepiness or Fatigue can limit reaction times, impair judgment, restrict vision, and introduce problems with information processing centers in the brain. It also decreases vigilance and motivation and increases moodiness and aggressive behaviors.

Here are some tips on how you can prevent Drowsy Driving and arrive at your destinations and return safely:
1. First, schedule your drive time. Plan out your trip; seek places to stop for gas, food, and rest.
2. Be sure to make frequent stops, get out of the car, walk around, stretch, and get some fresh air and food or drink.
3. Try not to drive at night. Nighttime is a more dangerous time to drive, period. Decreased visibility is the biggest factor. The fatal crash rate between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. is tenfold that of the period between 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
4. Finally, try to avoid driving alone. Bring your wingman to help you make it to your destination safely.

During this year's 101 Critical Days of Summer, please make the effort to plan your travel arrangements completely. Don't drive drowsy! We want all Airmen to get the reconstitution time they need! Go out and have a blast...just do it responsibly and come back ready to continue the mission!