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Make driving an art
A little caution can go a long way in avoiding accidents. -- Photo: K. Gopinathan
HANDS ON the wheel, eyes on the road, mind on something simple! If a person adopts this sort of style while driving a motor vehicle, s/he is almost sure to meet with an accident. Preoccupation and carelessness may be considered sins one could commit, while doing a responsible, complex task.
Usually persons at the wheel fail to detect visual targets due to lack of concentration or presence of mind. Researchers say that performing complex tasks significantly reduces a driver's ability to detect visual targets, discriminate among them and respond correctly.
Sometimes, environmental distractions such as a baby crying in the rear seat of the car, visualising a road accident or seeing one, using a mobile phone while driving, which is an offence, and listening to music can cause road accidents.
Old age and driving
With an increase in the elderly population we now get to see more elderly drivers on the road.
Each year, it is reported that their number increases by about 1.5 per cent. This does not mean that accidents on the road should increase proportionately.
It only indicates that the older drivers need to take some precautions to prevent accidents. Old age affects eyesight and reflexes.
If eyesight cannot cope with the glare of headlights, then reflexes may not be quick enough and the driver may be in peril. It is possible that as age advances stiff-neck may make it difficult to turn the head.
This cripples a driver's ability to spot oncoming vehicles at awkward road junctions. This could lead to accidents.
Besides these, if older drivers fall victim to syndromes such as `confusion factor' and `colour blindness' and find the proliferation of road markings and signs, information and mandatory warnings confusing, then this could lead to accidents.
Road hogs
Older drivers may tend to overestimate their driving performance even while being fully aware of the dangers involved. If they realise that their driving ability is declining, and drive slowly, the result would surely be that of trailing motorists hurling curses at them or the constant blare of horns.
Among car drivers, death occurs most often in the age group of 17 to 25. This is obviously because they tend to take more risks than older drivers. Sometimes, irrespective of weather conditions, they may take off at an unbelievable speed, often encouraged by peer groups.
Fatigue has been described as a `silent killer' on roads. Torn asunder by myths and realities, trauma, stress and strain, one may get easily fatigued.
Driving motor vehicles for a little more than four hours without a break can result in fatigue. Studies show that drowsiness during driving accounts for 16 per cent of accidents and over 20 per cent of motorway crashes.
In a recent poll carried out on behalf of the British Sleep Foundation (BSL), 19 per cent of the male drivers said they had fallen asleep while driving.
Time of day
Another factor that needs to be considered is the time of day.
Drivers are at a risk during the early hours of the morning and mid-afternoon. Sleep apnoea can also make a driver commit mistakes.
Driving is an art, so drive at a speed that makes you comfortable, but if you are often involved in accidents, it may be time to hang up your keys.
DR. C.P. SOMASUNDARAM
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