Changes

*heavy eyelids

*heavy eyelids

*accelerating and decelerating without reasonable cause

*accelerating and decelerating without reasonable cause

*"micro-naps" - brief periods of 4-5 seconds where a driver's brain is completely asleep<ref name="dot"></ref>

*"micro-naps" - brief periods of 4–5 seconds where a driver's brain is completely asleep<ref name="dot" />

==Associated Dangers==

==Associated Dangers==

According to [[scientific]] studies, "driver fatigue causes 40-percent of commercial truck accidents."<ref name="sciencedaily">[http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0511-tired_truckers.htm Tired Truckers: Computer Scientists Test Fatigued Driver Behavior]</ref> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 56,000 fatigue and sleep related crashes occur every year, resulting in over 1500 fatalities.<ref name="smartmotorist"></ref>. Other estimates place the number much higher at around 100,000.<ref name="sciencedaily"></ref>

According to [[scientific]] studies, "driver fatigue causes 40-percent of commercial truck accidents."<ref name="sciencedaily">[http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0511-tired_truckers.htm Tired Truckers: Computer Scientists Test Fatigued Driver Behavior]</ref> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 56,000 fatigue and sleep related crashes occur every year, resulting in over 1500 fatalities.<ref name="smartmotorist" /> Other estimates place the number much higher at around 100,000.<ref name="sciencedaily" />

==Prevention and Related Myths==

==Prevention and Related Myths==

Driver fatigue can easily be prevented by getting enough [[sleep]] each night. The average adult requires 7-8 hours of sleep every night to fully function during the day,<ref name="sleepguide">[http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih3/sleep/guide/info-sleep.htm Information about Sleep from the National Institute of Health]</ref> By failing to sleep for this minimum requirement, a person (and driver) may begin to accumulate a sleep debt,<ref name="sleepguide"></ref><ref name="dot">[http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/topics/fatiguequiz.htm Driver Fatigue Quiz]</ref> which may contribute to his fatigue in the future, even on days when the minimum sleep threshold for functionality is met. Although some people try [[caffeine|drinking coffee]], listening to music, opening their windows, and other tricks to stay awake, the U.S. Department of Transportation considers these tips ineffective at best, and harmful for the false sense of security they provide drivers.<ref name="dot"></ref> The best way to avoid driver fatigue is to sleep a healthy amount each night. Teenagers, especially young drivers, often need around 9 hours to fully function.<ref name="sleepguide"></ref>

Driver fatigue can easily be prevented by getting enough [[sleep]] each night. The average adult requires 7–8 hours of sleep every night to fully function during the day,<ref name="sleepguide">[http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih3/sleep/guide/info-sleep.htm Information about Sleep from the National Institute of Health]</ref> By failing to sleep for this minimum requirement, a person (and driver) may begin to accumulate a sleep debt,<ref name="dot">[http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/topics/fatiguequiz.htm Driver Fatigue Quiz]</ref><ref name="sleepguide" /> which may contribute to his fatigue in the future, even on days when the minimum sleep threshold for functionality is met. Although some people try [[caffeine|drinking coffee]], listening to music, opening their windows, and other tricks to stay awake, the U.S. Department of Transportation considers these tips ineffective at best, and harmful for the false sense of security they provide drivers.<ref name="dot" /> The best way to avoid driver fatigue is to sleep a healthy amount each night. Teenagers, especially young drivers, often need around 9 hours to fully function.<ref name="sleepguide" />