Sleeping passengers are contagious

If the passengers sleep, the risk of microsleep at the driver increases

08/15/2014

Instantaneous sleep is one of the most common triggers for serious traffic accidents. Now, sleep researchers have found that sleeping passengers seem contagious to the driver and thus the risk of falling asleep increases significantly, according to the news agency „dpa“. On longer car rides, the passengers should therefore also try to stay awake.

Citing the renowned sleep researcher Jürgen Zulley, professor of biological psychology at the University of Regensburg, reports „dpa“, That fatigue is transmitted quickly to the driver in a sleeping passenger. „The risk of falling asleep and falling victim to the wheel is proven to be significantly higher with a sleeping passenger than with a watchkeeper who keeps the driver happy“, the news agency quotes the experts.

Driving should stay awake
Although so far not conclusively clarified, why the sleep of the passenger transfers to the driver, the Regensburg sleep researcher advises not to fall asleep the driving on longer car rides under any circumstances. The probable cause of the infectious tiredness is the calm and steady breathing as well as the motionlessness of the passenger, reports the „dpa“. This has a calming and relaxing effect on the driver. The episode is at worst a microsleep, which is responsible for about every four fatal accident on the highways in Germany, according to the German Road Safety Council, according to the news agency.

Deadly microsleep
Although the victims fall for a brief while the eyes closed, before they startle again. But the vehicle can not be safely kept in the lane. Especially at high speeds on the highway such distances are covered within seconds that collision after a second with closed eyes are often unavoidable. The news agency „dpa“ points out that sleep researchers from a total of 19 European countries already with the action last year „wake up“ In Brussels, he drew attention to the risks of dangerous microsleep at the wheel and warned against it. In a comprehensive study on microsleep in traffic gave, according to the announcement of „dpa“ Of 13,000 study participants, 42 percent had already fallen asleep at least once behind the wheel.

Pay attention to warning signs of the body
To avoid falling asleep when driving, according to Professor Zulley the instructions of the body should be observed. His own body language provides many hints, such as frequent yawning, heavy eyelids and declining concentration, the expert explained „dpa“. These are clear signals for a speedy fall asleep. For example, driving with an open window can help against fatigue, but there is usually no way around a break. During this, the affected should represent the feet or do light exercise, the reports „dpa“. In case of extreme tiredness, however, a short nap on the rest area is urgently advised. (Fp)