Transcript Driver Fatigue

DISTRACTED DRIVER
Ben Shew
Executive Director
Office of School Transportation
WV Department of Education
Safety is Our Business
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Driver Responsibilities
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School Bus is safe
 Pre-trip
 Post-trip
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Bus Operator is safe
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Well Trained
Physically Fit
Mentally Alert
Safe Operators
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This year we had no student deaths
Fewer serious accidents
Nationally there is a concern about distracted
driving
 Distracted
 Use
Driving includes:
of electronic devices
 Eating and drinking
 Conversations
 Fatigue
Distracted Driving
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Cell phone and other electronic communication devices
Cell phone usage while driving are being compared to
DUI
Policy 4336 - 13.20 Cellular Phones
13.20.1 The use of cellular phones or other portable
electronic devices – even those equipped with hands-free
devices – while driving is prohibited
 13.20.2 The use of cellular phones while supervising the
loading and unloading of students is prohibited.
 13.20.3 If communication with the Transportation
Department is necessary, the bus must be stopped.

NASDPTS "ALERT Drivers Act"
Support Letter
Distracted Driving
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Driver fatigue
 Policy 4336
 14.2 Be eligible to operate a school bus without a minimum of six
(6) consecutive hours of off duty time, for proper rest between the
conclusion of the previous day’s regularly scheduled afternoon run
and immediately prior to the beginning of the next day’s regularly
scheduled morning run. Also:
 14.2.a. More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty;
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or
14.2.b. For any period after having been on duty 15 hours
following 8 consecutive hours off duty
14.2.c. No school bus operator shall drive a passenger-carrying
commercial motor vehicle, regardless of the number of motor
carriers using the driver's services, for any period after:
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14.2.c.1. Having been on duty 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days if
the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor
vehicles every day of the week; or
14.2.c.2. Having been on duty 70 hours in any period of 8
consecutive days if the employing motor carrier operates commercial
motor vehicles every day of the week.
Driver Fatigue
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National Transportation Board (NTSB)
“Fatigue can impair a person behind a wheel much like
alcohol or other drugs. We must ensure that as much as
possible is being done to protect our transportation system
from the insidious effect of human fatigue.”
 Fatigue Quiz (True or False)
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Coffee overcomes effects of drowsiness
 I can tell when I’m going to sleep
 Rolling down the window or singing will keep me awake
 You can stockpile sleep on the weekends
 Most adults need only 5 hours of sleep
 A microsleep lasts 2 seconds
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Driver Fatigue
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Crash Characteristics
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They occur normally at night or mid-afternoon
 Crash likely to be serious
 Driver does not try to avoid crash
 Crash occurs on high-speed roadway
Risks for Drowsy-Driving Crashes
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Sleep Loss – 7 to 8 hours of sleep
Driving patterns – Changes in normal habit, 3 hrs. or more driving
increases risk.
Use of sedating meds – Meds have been provided to counties
Untreated sleep disorders – sleep apnea and narcolepsy
Alcohol – 20 % of fall-asleep crashes involve alcohol
Driver Fatigue
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Sleepiness Impairs Performance
 Slower
reaction time
 Even
small decrements in reaction time can have a profound
effect on crash risk, particularly at high speeds
 Reduced
vigilance
 Performance
declines, including increased periods on nonresponding or delayed responding
 Deficits
in information processing
 Processing
and integration info takes longer, the accuracy of
short-term memory decreases and performance declines
Driver Fatigue
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Behavioral Interventions
 15
to 20 minute nap
 Consuming caffeine – min. 2 cups only effective for a
short time
 Physical discomfort
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