We all know that when we are tired it is always easier to make silly little mistakes because our minds are not as fully as rested as we would like them to be.
But there is a difference between being a little bit tired because you went to bed a couple of hours later than usual the night before and sleep deprivation. And when it comes to driving while sleep deprived, there are some growing concerns that driving in this condition could be similar to driving while impaired.
Studies have shown that sleep deprivation has long been recognized as a significant risk factor for road accidents. The alarming similarity between driving on less than five hours of sleep and driving under the influence of alcohol has prompted the creation of innovative solutions to combat drowsy driving.
In a groundbreaking development, researchers funded by the Australian government’s Office of Road Safety are working on a blood-based test to determine whether a driver involved in an accident was impaired by lack of sleep. Prof Clare Anderson at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, is spearheading efforts to develop a blood-based test for sleep deprivation.
The research team has found a way to use a blood test and accurately detect whether an individual has been awake for 24 hours or more, with an accuracy rate exceeding 99%.
While this may seem like great progress in road safety, when new technologies like this are on the verge of being introduced, it is just as important to look at the concerns for such ideas, as it is to admire the benefits. In an upcoming blog, I will address these potential concerns.
While the test itself holds promise in combating drowsy driving, it is crucial to carefully consider the challenges and consequences that may arise if this technology is introduced.
