Hello i have a case were a driver finished a 12hrs nite shift and was in a head on collision is there any way to comfirm if he fell asleep ???

Here's a suggestion - try our section on Crash Investigation, http://www.drivers.com/topic/97/

In particular this link

Accident Reconstruction Communications Network
http://www.accidentreconstruction.com/
ARC provides accident reconstruction experts with a "one-stop" web site for communication and research..

There is a device that you put in your ear and if you nod, it buzzes in your ear. Have you ever heard of this and where would one get it?

Thanks

I am looking for some sort of Driver Evaluation to put together for our company, any ideas or sites that could help

I was arrested and now being charged with OUI (operating Under The Influance of intoxicants) but was not. Had been working long hours all week and was falling asleep at the wheel. Anyone have any suggestions that could help me in my fight for innocense?

Is there any statistic to show whether the driver is more likely to survive than the passenger, becasue they are asleep and can survice the impact in that state?

In response to "R Caraway"... why would you want a defense for this? You just admitted that you were "falling asleep at the wheel" - too bad there's not a law making this illegal... (though, Maggie's law says a bit about it) - I'd say just take the punishment let it be a GOOD and safe lesson to you that it's not safe to work long shifts and drive while you're tired - PLEASE just pull over and sleep for a few hours on a side road, or better yet - call someone to come pick you up next time... I don't mean to sund evil or against you, but seriously, what you did was not safe (should technically be considered "clupable negligence" - look up "609.205 Manslaughter in the second degree")
Sorry man, but I personally don't think there's anything you can do to back yourself up... just take the blame and punishment, and look at it as free lesson not to drive while you're tired.

You have got to be kidding me? What a shallow thing to say. Are you married? Have children? On a tipicle day people are rushing around just to get through life on life's terms. I can't believe that you would get on this site and judge someone. Let me guess, You have never made a mistake, right? There are times that people get into situations that they can not control. Maybe this person didn't realize that he was tired. Have you ever been on the interstate driving and realized that you couldn't drive any longer? Sometimes we may not know it until it is too late! I believe that people should put themselves into situations before judging the other. But maybe some of us are PERFECT.

this sucks!

This whole thing of sleep has to be taken seriously. Of course it's irresponsible to drive while drowsy but it is EXTREMELY difficult to deal with the problem because it rarely seems serious enough to justify a lot of inconvenience. It's like drinking and driving. People do it all the time and get away with it -- so they feel they can do it again. We need to show people how lack of sleep impairs them.

Does anyone have suggestions on safe places to park for these emergency naps? The side of the highway could likely get you hit, and a vacant lot in a strange town in the middle of the night doesn't sound like my idea of safe either. Would the State Police allow you to park in one of their lots for a few hours? I pass by stations on the local interstate on a regular basis. Yes I know the alternative is to be splattered across the road but I think many people try to beat those odds and are not thinking clearly to begin with. It would be nice if the SP provided safe places one can park should the need arise.

Darryn, you highlight a real problem. If it's a busy interstate with well-lit service areas that would work, although there's always a risk of being mugged or worse when you do this.

Off the major highways it's hard to find someplace and personally, I've always found that the effort of finding one (and checking it out) usually wakes me up and off I go again. The problem is I'm still tired.

Of course the ideal answer is not to get trapped out on the highway without sleep. However, this is easier said then done. Sometimes drowsiness catches me by surprise - maybe after a meal or something.

How about getting the proper amount of sleep

Two weeks ago I "fell asleep" (I believe I passed out) on a lonely road in the middle of nowhere. End result, I ended upside down in my car - held in place by the seat belt. No injuries whatsoever. I am almost 70 years old, have a perfect 50+ years of driving and this was my first accident. It was 5:00 and daylight. I had eaten a sweet dessert and I feel that was the problem. My blood is being monitored now but doesn't seem to be a problem. I feel for anyone who falls asleep at the wheel - it can happen to anyone.

everyone please get enough sleep before u drive one of my friends just had a funeral today because he fell asleep on the way home from work dont just think about urself or the other people on the road but the people close to u the ones u hold dearly

Fell asleep at the wheel - didn't even realize that I was that tired - car flipped over twice - lucky I didn't hurt anyone except my daughter was sore and bruised - can't believe we survived. Car was totaled.

I fell asleep at the wheel on the way home from running errands from about 20 miles at the most away from home. I ran off the road, woke up when I took down a road sign, then slowed to a stop in a pasture missing 2 trees on the right and 2 trees on the left. I don't want to drive anymore! I obviously failed to recognize and know the point at which I should have pulled over. I got lucky this time. I can't take that chance again! Any suggestions how to get thru this? Any idea how law enforcement and auto insurance view this sort of accident? There is some damage to my vehicle, though drivable.

I was hit by a driver that fell asleep at the wheel almost 4 weeks ago. He had his cruise control set at 70 and he jumped a planter dividing the freeway and landed on the hood of my truck. I am just now able to sit up for short periods of time with help.

He was fine...walking about the scene..
I was trapped in my vehicle.

Now, my life will NEVER be the same.

Can a person fall asleep at the wheel, hit another car but not know it and keep on driving?

Has any research been done into car vibrations and sleep. I have often felt drowsy especially on the motorway having had plantyof rest beforehand. The moment I pull up (stop driving) I feel fully awake.

Ok, so I am a chaperone for a field trip this Saturday. We are going to Ceader Point. This is a 2 hour drive from my location. We start at 6:00 AM and stay until 9:15 PM according to the school.

We are then expected to drive back arriving at 11:30 PM. So if I have my math correct we are expected to be up at 5:00 AM, to the school by 6:00 AM, take responsibility for someone else’s child and make it back in one piece.

Anyone else see a problem with this 18 hour trip? That's considering there is no traffic...

Wonder how the driver will be spending the day. If there's time for a nap maybe it's OK. Mind you, that's a very exhausting day. Why so long Mike?

I fell asleep driving a tracter-trailer combo on I-75. As a result I have patented a device that will not allow a driver to fall asleep. Spent over $5,000. to get my patent. h-229-439-1139 or cell 229-347-4695. Hoping for a Lease Agreement. A matter of liver and deaths.

I have a son who is 6 months old. For the last 5 or 6 months I'd say i've been haveing a problem staying awake at the wheel. This is a every day thing. Too work and from work mostly but sometimes I start falling asleep even when me and my wife are together in the car. I dont know what to do. I have been honked at, at stop lights for falling asleep 3 times now. I have woke up in the middle of the road idling at 5 mph. I have difted off the road but not hit anything about 20 times. But what can I do? Miss work? not go to the store? My wife does not drive so I am really in some troble here. Also I am only 24 years old. Why is this happening to me?

I had the same problem many years ago but not as bad. Had to stop and get out every 5 minutes. Never did find out what the problem was but I would really strongly recommend seeing a doctor and going to a sleep clinic.
The problem is really serious.

I am glad this article is up here, because I my self have been affected. On June 11 2005, my father fell asleep at the wheel after getting only 3 hrs of sleep the night before. He drifted across the middle line and hit a transport truck. He was instantly killed by his ribs shifting which cut his heart. I was only 15 at the time and am only 17 now, but i will have to live with this for the rest of my life. My dad was my bestfriend. Thank you for trying to get the facts out to the people.
-Kylie Steele

Thanks Kylie.

We believe fatigue and sleep are huge problems for drivers, maybe even more than alcohol, but not taken seriously enough.

Daily Problem

I also am having difficulty staying awake and it involves not only do I get sleep driving, I fall asleep as a passenger (which is safer). I went to the doctor and he had no reply. I am a nurse and older than you, but my problem just started a few months ago. Your wife needs to learn how to drive and get her a license. I do not know the reason, but am searching for an answer. Please be careful.

I was recently hit by a sleep driver at 7:45 in the mornng on my way to work...my vehicle was sitting still in traffic...the driver hit me apprx. 50 miles an hour(like I was a brick wall)...will always have trouble walking,sitting, use of left arm, vision and above all the fear of driving

I meant to mention...the driver was not injured..I was in hospital for a week and missed almost five months of work...
he (the driver) was not cited and he refused treatment at the scene .. he just got a ride from someone and went on his way...I am fairly young and will never be the same again....
Stay Awake or just don't get behind the wheel....PLEASE!

I fall asleep as a passenger almost instantly when I get into a car. Seldom do I drive, because I also fight falling asleep within about 2 minutes.
Have had this problem for 30 years - doctor has absolutely NO COMMENT - In fact, new doctor today has no idea why, but is willing to perscribe a few pills for treatment of narcolepsy (on a l -time basis) BUT - I am looking to find a solution to this problem - It is not from lack of sleep or alcohol consumption....any ideas?

I rolled a car 5-7 times doing 85mph on a highway in Idaho. I was on the way home form seeing my fiance and it was late. Oct 27, 1997 will forever be a date I dont forget. I stayed late to finish the Marlins V Indians in the World Series. Amazingly I walked away with bruises and a small cut on my forehead. The craziest thig is the car was a 89 toyota corrola and I stand 6'3. I am lucky I wasnt killed. Now anytime I am tired I do not hesitate to pull over. And as a passenger I freak out if anyone gets near the white line or I hear rumble strips.

Chris I have the exact same problem as you, i can have a full night sleep feel totally good and refreshed then hop in the car and within 10 mins i feel like im gonna pass out. If you find out anything let me know.

I don't have a sleep problem at all but i woul just like to ask a question. My wife always falls asleep as passenger on drives over an hour mouth open sparko for the rest of the drive is it just mine or do all women end up like that on drives? Please reply thank you.

Yeah think they are mate mine is always falling asleep aswell think its just a woman thing mine talks for a while then just gets bored and ends up slumped right across nearly on my lap lol.

Don't drive if you feel sleepy please!!
It's amazing what can happen in seconds. i know it's hard to recognize when you can't drive anymore, but please try even 10 minutes help!

So here's one to think about. I work for several ambulance services. this is common in my line of work due to the extremely LOW pay rate. Just so everyone here realizes that most ambulance services require their employees to work 24 or more hour shifts. At the moment I am currently clocked in for a 48 hour shift at the same job. Again this is very common for this line of work. Sometimes we have good shifts but many are bad. By that I mean that we begin getting the majority of calls around 2PM and they continue heavy until about 2AM. Then the runs are sporaditic throughout the rest of the night. On a typicl 24 hour shift I will get about 4-5 hours sleep. That means that at 4am when I get called out on that car accident that happened becuase someone fell asleep, I myself have only had about 2-3 hours by then. Then its nodding and jerking all the way down the road. As far as a solution . .. if I want to keep my job then just deal with it. Even if I take the advise Im going to hear which is find another line of work, someone else is just going to take my place with these shifts. . . . any suggestions? . . . . . .

If I were you , I would check to see if it legal to work 24 to 48 hrs straight..
I have heard that it is! Mercy, especially if you are an ambulance driver...

I rolled my parents' Chev Suburban at age 17 at 10am after a full night's rest. No one was hurt and we kept the car another 10 years. I too fall asleep after a full night's sleep. Now, 13 years later, I still find myself falling asleep at the wheel on road trips on the highway, although I always talk to someone on the phone if I don't have a passenger because I know the dangers of driving sleepy. My daily commute of 30 minutes is fine, but anything over 45 and I start to fall asleep, even at 8 or 9am when I have awoken refreshed and vibrant. I sleep well, and have no sleep disorders. As a passenger OR driver, the vibrations of the road lull me into sleep. It has always been this way. I am beginning to wonder if it is a learned behavior. As a child my parents made frequent (monthly) road trips to visit my grandparents 2 hours away and I always slept on the road down and back. Now I wonder if my body has grown to know the vibrations of the road as a sign to fall asleep, much like the Pavlovian resarch: ring a bell and a dog will salivate. Does anyone have any websites or books with info on this? Please email me at amazonchic21@yahoo.com

i don't fall asleep whilst driving but it seems to send my wife to sleep in the passenger seat all the time.

I have had this problem recently.. I can be fine and then when i get in the car i get tired.. "I" believe it has something to do with the pressure that driving puts on your body like G force or something and or the mind working harder while driving or watching things outside fly by. I have no proof that this happens, its just something that i thought up.

I just found out today that my 18 year old cousin was killed at 4:00am this morining. He and some friends took a day trip to Mexico yesterday and were coming back home early this morning. He was driving and fealt tired so he switched with a friend. That friend fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed. My cousin is dead, the other two boys are not. It seems so unreal. I pray that more people will learn the warning signs of when tired it too tired to drive.

I am finding that if I drive more than 20 minutes, I start getting sleepy. My work is 30 minutes from home, and I just make it to work, but it is scary. I also drive to my mother's house every weekend to take care of her, and I have to pull off the road for a few minutes and drink some water to wake myself up. It is very scary. I will ask my doctor if he knows of any medication I can take to help me. Even if I drink coffee, or high caffene soda, I still get sleepy. It is an hours drive to my mom's, I wonder if the road humming sounds lulls me, like when parents would take their kids out for a drive so they would go to sleep.

I am a sleep tech. Some people may be sleep deprived from undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders and become sleepy on the road while driving. Then you have people like shift workers or commercial drivers who drive for long periods of time without a break and get tired. Whatever the cause of the sleepiness, people need to be responsible for their own actions and as soon as the onset of feeling sleepy comes on, they need to pull into a rest stop, off the road in a public place or somewhere they feel safest. It is best to get a quick nap than to risk your life or the life of others. Caffeine, if it works, is a short resolution while driving for long periods of time.

My other suggestion for people who fall asleep easily or have a spouse, significant other, friend, relative fall asleep at the drop of the hat is to have a sleep study. Sleep disorders are more common than people think. 3 out of 5 people have a sleep disorder. There are 84 disorders out there of which obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. For people who work long shifts, I suggest you takes naps often. If you are not on call, take a nap even if you don't feel sleepy at the time. Try to relax and you will go to sleep. Eventually, things are going to change and employers will be responsible if they make their employees works for long periods of time without breaks. It is also against the law if you didn't know. This is advice for the EMT or anyone else who wants to listen. Trust me, I see what sleep deprivation does to people. Once obstructive sleep apnea is treated, the rewards are great. See a sleep specialist for any sleep disorders.

I am narcoleptic, and i drive all the time. Its amazing i am still alive, but I love the adrenaline rush. It's just frustrating to me, because my mom does not approve of it and i don't want to feel like a caged bird. So, I just sneak out at night and go for a little joy ride withot my licsense...YYYEEEEE HHHHHAAAA! Watch out pedestrians and other drivers, I am coming your way. Life is short, stay awake for it!!!

very amazing indeed wally. i am currently creating a poster to make people aware of the present dangers of falling asleep at the wheel and reversing. can anyone suggest a website that has great animated pics of these types of accidents.

My mother was killed this passed week when a driver hit her as she got out of her car. he claims to have fallen asleep at the wheel as a result of being a diabetic. there appears to be no way to prove this, but still the police plan on not charging him. My mom is dead and all he is getting is a traffic ticket for inattetive driving. Does anyone know how I can proceed in this manner? i would like to know if anything can be done.

I fell asleep for a split second while driving a rental car. I did not hit another car and no one was injured. I am a responsible person that became aware of this problem a little too late. I have been hit with a ridiculous collision bill from Dollar Rent-A-Car and I have to live with the remorse and the debt. I will have to spend the salary from my new job to cover the bill, if I want to preserve my credit. Sadly, the accident happened after I came out of the interview for this new job. I try to convince myself that this is a life lesson, but I mostly feel that the situation is extremely unfair.

Hi,

I wanted to let you know that the National Sleep Foundation has launched a new site where you can share or create a memorial for a loved one lost to a drowsy driving crash. The site accepts stories and tributes from anyone whose life has been impacted by drowsy driving. It is a very moving and emotional site; you can read first-hand how a drowsy driving crash can happen to anyone at any time.

To share your memorial or story, please visit www.sleepfoundation.org/memorial The site also offers lots of grief related services and resources too.

Also, if you want to learn more about how to prevent drowsy driving, visit www.DrowsyDriving.org -- there is a wealth of valuable information on the site.

Thank you.

National Sleep Foundation

I use the product Snore Stop Spray and it has helped me sleep by tightening the tissue in the back of my throat. Now the relaxed muscles don't block my airway. I also treated my chronic sinusitis which was preventing me from breathing properly through my nose. I used Nasaline Nasal Irrigator and a saline eucalyptus spray to kill bacteria in my sinuses. I read that antibiotics don't help much. I also have been taken Threelac antifungal cleanse supplement because there is literature stating that chronic sinusitis is caused by an internal fungal infection. All of these have helped me breath better during sleep and stop snoring. Try it. Or contact me at dhernand76@hotmail.com with any questions

I find driving very hypnotic, so I have given up pleasure driving and limit myself to short shopping trips or to and from work. I am 60, and realize everyone can't just do this, but it's been the only solution for me.

The Dreamhelmet sleep-mask sound- blocking pillow combination was invented to help people sleep anywhere. The inventor, Jim De Cordova, is very aware of the problem of drowsy driving through frightening personal experience.

There is a promotion going on now to urge people to be well rested before driving, and to pull off and sleep on the way if tired - don't take a chance with your life or the life of others!

Dreamhelmets are sold only on the website: www.dreamhelmet.com

I don't know what happened to me yesterday. At first I thought I had fallen asleep while driving. But then I thought it could have been momentary loss of consciousness. Im not sure what happened but I know it lasted a few seconds. Maybe there is something medically wrong with me. Not sure.

Boy! Liz you had better check that one out.

I was involved in an accident about four years ago and I fell asleep. I fell asleep on the freeway and drove off of the freeway through the mud onto the feeder road! I hit the a car in front of me which then hit another car in front of him, and another in front of him.(dominoe effect)
It was very scary and no one but me was seriously injured. I broke my hand in two places and was able to get the use of my hand back after surgery and physical therapy. Thanks to a wonderful surgeon at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston, TX-Harris County and Physical Therpasit in Houston who was also very good at her job.

I was not necessarily sleep deprived, but rather overloaded with stress at the time and I believe that the stress I was under made me fatiqued. While it is definately dangerous to drive without being fully rested I believe that there are many factors that can contribute to falling asleep while driving and so it is probably best not to judge someone.

It's NEVER a good idea to drive when you are fatigued. However, if you absolutely MUST drive, then make it as unpleasant for yourself as you possibly can: i.e. open ALL your windows so the air and noise will be felt and heard; in summer, turn your air conditioning up until you are uncomfortably cold (trust me, this works); and one fail-safe method that works wonders for me if you find yourself nodding off is to bite the tip of your tongue until it hurts (yes, I really mean that!)Pain is a good deterrent for keeping yourself alert. It's done the trick for me on a couple of drives home after the graveyard shift.

There is a device out there for sale that fits over your earlobe (or both if you think one won't be enough) that is set to shriek an alarm if you tip your head down (as would happen if you were nodding off.) The alarm is loud enough to wake you up before you coast off the road or into danger.

Ultimately, don't drive if you're tired or sleep deprived. Wait until you feel alert and refreshed, or barring that, get someone else to do the driving.

Because of my work schedule, I would be at risk. Begin work at 9 PM, finish about 2-3 AM. I am usually at my best around this time, but many people would be asleep or drowsy, putting me at risk of being hit. After hearing a report of another biker being killed by a drowsy driver, I would have to be extra carefil.

I happned on this site and want to say i lost my 44 yr old son on july 5 2007 from falling asleep while driving. H e was not a fast driver but at the time of the accident he was going 80 mph,there was no skid marks, it is the hardest thing i will ever deal with in my life, every body please be careful!!

i recently died because i fell assleep please dont drive tired

I know this sounds silly, but it works, or at least for awhile. If you are driving somewhere where traffic isn't heavy, and are tired, you can rock back and forth in your seat (like you are in a rocking chair). It won't move the steering wheel much as well as your speed. The movement isn't hard, you can use your abs to push and pull or your arms pulling and pushing on the wheel. The movement is enough to keep you awake, but maybe not for over 30 miles, but that depends likely on you.

I am doing a persuasive speech in my SPC 191 class and decided to do this topic it was the fist thing that can to my head and I found alot of good and important information.

I felt asleep at the wheel today (July 4th, 2008) around 6am while driving on I-90E in New York State.
Man, I'm glad I'm alive as well as my 3 kids and my wife. There were no other cars on the road at the time thank goodness.
I learned my lesson and will make the best out of my NEW life.

Have a safe drive with proper sleep always!!!

I failed to say that I hit the guardrail and went off the road a few feet but managed to control the vehicle.
Other than a lost tire and a bunch of scratches all around the car nothing major happened: well, besides the five people born at that instant.