Microsleep?

Just saw a fascinating report about the train driver in the New York accident on ABC. Apparently he felt well rested and alert and made 9 stops without incident before the accident. He may have been undergoing "microsleep" according to the report, in which your brain shuts down for 20-30 seconds. This apparently can occur when undergoing 'road hypnosis'

They did a test on the reporter, who stayed awake for 30 hours before driving on a range. He had a camera on him, and seemed alert (except for a few yawns) and said he thought he did well. BUT testing proved that his brain "shut down" 20 times during the test. There's apparently no way to avoid it, it just happens after long periods of uneventful driving or flying. MY cure is Judas Priest at full volume with the windows down....

That is why they are looking to make more stops for driving.

Last I read online, they were looking at changing the 30 minute stop once in 8 hours to 2 15 minute stops in 8 hours.

Something like 15 minutes every 3 to 4 hours. Or so the article I read a few weeks ago talked about.

Who knows what is around the corner.

Keep it safe out here. The life you save might be your own. Joe S

Yeah, I had read an article that talked about a driving test where one group was legally drunk and the other group was sober but had been up for 24 hours straight. Turns out the two groups performed about the same. So being awake for 24 hours straight will give you the same driving abilities as someone who is legally drunk.

Not good!

Yeah, I had read an article that talked about a driving test where one group was legally drunk and the other group was sober but had been up for 24 hours straight. Turns out the two groups performed about the same. So being awake for 24 hours straight will give you the same driving abilities as someone who is legally drunk.

Not good!

Myth Busters actually did this in one of their shows. I do not remember all the details, but it was informative. They also did a comparison test between someone drinking and someone on a phone I believe. Now I will have to look at the episodes on Netflix or amazon prime and try to find them lol.

Woody

I think I had a bout of microsleep just a little over a week ago. I was driving on I-10 near the border patrol check point and almost missed my turn into the truck inspection lane.

Dave