LETTERS: Statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police reported that between 2011 and 2021, there were 1,305 fatalities attributed to drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
One reason is microsleep. This is when someone dozed off even for mere seconds on the road and that led to serious consequences.
During a microsleep, mental awareness and sensory perception to an individual's surroundings are shut down.
Our control of the motor vehicle's steering and pedals momentarily cease. This could lead to a tragic outcome. The next microsleep episode at 60kmh may be the last.
So, why do drivers fall asleep? The answer is obvious. They are deprived of sleep.
Studies show that sleep deprivation affects concentration, slows reaction time, lowers alertness and increases fatigue.
In short, we lose attention. If you are drowsy while driving, please stop! If you think attention is only being stolen away by insufficient sleep, then you had better think again.
Taking a rest is vital. This reminder has been put out to the public for quite some time now.
Another factor is when a driver gets distracted.
Nowadays, it is easy to get distracted when using a digital device while driving.
Answering calls, texting and stealing glances at the handphone shifts our focus from the road.
Even when walking, we tend to look at our hand held devices without bothering much of what lies ahead.
Multitasking like this might be cool for some and it may also seem trivial but we have no idea how this behaviour may nudge us into habit-forming practices which we soon carry subconsciously into the car we drive.
Driving deserves our fullest attention. It is better to be safe than sorry.
CHEAH C.F.
Ipoh, Perak
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times