{"id":36627,"date":"2025-06-03T13:34:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T11:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.groupfleet.com\/?p=36627"},"modified":"2025-06-05T16:43:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T14:43:56","slug":"microsleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.groupfleet.com\/en\/microsleep\/","title":{"rendered":"Better late than never!"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1716387294299{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-color: #ffffff !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

The risk of falling asleep at the wheel is often underestimated. Simple measures can be taken to help avoid accidents.<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The German singer-songwriter Marteria says in his song \u201cSekundenschlaf\u201d: \u201ctick tock tick tock \/ time is running out \/ you are in a hurry because the clock makes you run\u201d \u2013 feelings that drivers on their way to business appointments or on long journeys are no doubt familiar with. The result: they take scarcely no breaks and risk nodding off because they are overtired. In a survey by the German Road Safety Council (DVR) from 2016, 26 per cent of some 1,000 motorists questioned admitted falling asleep at least once behind the wheel. Frequent drivers should therefore not underestimate the risk of suddenly nodding off.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\n\n

\n\t<\/p>\n

What does microsleep mean?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Scientists define microsleep as a brief episode of sleep that can occur during wakefulness. During this time, people are no longer consciously aware and cannot react properly to hazardous situations.<\/div>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Driving \u201cblind\u201c<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]There is a particular risk of unintentionally falling asleep at the wheel on long and monotonous journeys, when driving at night between the hours of two and seven in the morning, or during the post-lunch dip. If a driver falls asleep for just two seconds at the wheel, their vehicle will travel about 56 meters in an uncontrolled manner when driving at a speed of 100 km\/h. The situation can become particularly serious, for example, if the vehicle swerves into the oncoming lane or veers off the road on a bend.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Mr. Sandman \u2026 don\u2019t bring me a dream<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text]\n\n

\n\t<\/p>\n

Take a break: Why you
\nshould listen to your car<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Driver Alert System is one of the driver assist systems that has been mandatory in new vehicles since 1 June 2024. The system uses sensors to analyse driving and steering behaviour and can detect signs of fatigue on the driver\u2019s face. If you see the message \u201cfatigue detected\u201d on your vehicle\u2019s display, it is strongly recommended that you break the journey.<\/div>[vc_column_text css=””]It is not so straightforward, however, to determine the degree of personal fatigue \u2013 in addition, drivers often judge this incorrectly. While microsleep can present differently from person to person, an initial sign of tiredness at the wheel can be when drivers can no longer remember the last kilometre of their journey. Burning and watery eyes are another sign of decreasing fitness to drive. When eyelids start to feel heavy or you start to blink a lot, a break is needed.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Other signs can include frequent yawning, sudden shivers or a strong urge to move. The inability to stay in lane or the feeling that the road is narrowing also indicate fatigue.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Power break<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]To start the working day or embark on a longer business trip well rested, the German Road Safety Council advises frequent drivers to get enough sleep, calculate the possible journey time in advance and allow enough time for breaks. By the way: caffeinated and sugary drinks will not prevent you from falling asleep at the wheel. That\u2019s because they can result in a drastic drop in energy once their stimulating effects wear off. Fresh air and loud music also only have a temporary effect. Sleep experts instead recommend a five-to-ten-minute nap. If this is not possible, movement can also increase performance again.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Recommendation:
\nPreventing microsleep<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Sleep experts advise offering employees regular check-ups for sleep disorders, as these are one of the main causes of microsleep. In addition, they should be trained in how to handle fatigue and driving for long periods of time. They should also be given advice on sleep-promoting behaviour and attitudes. Important topics include power naps, adequate movement and healthy nutrition.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\n\n

\n\t<\/p>\n

Accidents caused by microsleep may be a punishable offence!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If the person who causes the accident indicates that they were very tired or nodded off \u2013 or if this can be demonstrated to them in some other way \u2013 this may constitute a violation of \u00a7315c of the German criminal code.<\/p>\n

In it it states that anyone who drives a vehicle on the road, although they are not able to drive the vehicle safely due to mental or physical deficiencies, can be fined or imprisoned for up to two years if they have caused the endangerment through negligence. A driving ban or disqualification from driving is also usually imposed or pronounced in such cases.<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Status: 19.05.2025<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a9\u00a0 Volkswagen AG<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The risk of falling asleep at the wheel is often underestimated. Simple measures can be taken to help avoid accidents.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":36888,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[177],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flottenmanagement-en","newsletter-fleetnews-02-25-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBetter late than never! - Volkswagen Group | FleetHub<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Entdecken Sie die verborgenen Dynamiken des Stra\u00dfenverkehrs. 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