Highway accident- M’sian records crash instead of honking sleeping driver awake
We have been warned many times to never EVER drive when
sleepy.
Unfortunately, the message seems to be lost no matter how many times it is repeated. This week we learn of the dangers of microsleep when a viral video of an accident was posted on Twitter.
The 45 second video showed a car, who’s driver seemed to be experiencing microsleep, drift across three lanes of the highway before crashing into a lorry.
Bahaya microsleep. pic.twitter.com/WpabNugQNo
— MyWatch (@My_CrimeWatch) September 7, 2019
While the accident was shocking, most shocking of all was how
the terrible crash could have been prevented.
With 14.8K retweets at the time of writing, netizens were
angered by the fact that the person recording the video did not honk the
sleepy driver awake.
Tukang rakam ni disable function hon ke? Atau memang rakam menunggu kereta accident?
— عزمان قمر الدين (@adzman86) September 7, 2019
Translation: “Did the person recording this disable the honk function? Or purposely waiting to record an accident?”
The fact that orang ni rasa to record a potential accident is more important than preventing it is making my blood boil! Eeeeee bodohnya ya Allah 😩😩😩
— Nurul Syafiqah Zakariah (@IamSyafiqahZack) September 7, 2019
Translation: “The fact that this person feels that recording a potential accident is more important that preventing it is making my blood boil! Eeeeeee, so stupid!”
kecewa tengok video ni, tulang record tu hon boleh kot.
— PeterRengPung (@PitiyaParkiya) September 8, 2019
Translation: “So disappointed watching this video. The person recording could’ve honked.”
wow, bodoh!!!
the person videoing is partially responsible for allowing the accident to happen in front of his eyes. Karma is always watching
— AmethystChew 🇲🇾 (@AmethystChew1) September 8, 2019
— Ahmad Fikri (@akieez) September 8, 2019
Whenever you come across a driver you suspect is asleep behind
the wheel, PLEASE WAKE THEM UP BY HONKING.
Microsleep is a very real and highly dangerous threat to road users. According to Science Daily, brain regions can take short naps while you’re awake, leading to errors.
Periods of microsleep are thought to be the most likely cause of people falling asleep while driving and several studies have shown that it’s as dangerous as driving drunk!
As a road user, familiarise yourself with the following warning signs of an oncoming microsleep episode:
- Feeling sleepy.
- Having trouble keeping your eyes open/constantly blinking.
- Difficulty focusing on what you’re doing.
- Yawning.
- Feeling moody and irritable.
- Sudden head jerks that make you alert.
You can prevent microsleep by:
1. Interacting with other people.
Talk, engage, ask questions. Keeping your brain active will
help you stay alert.
2. Moving your body if possible.
Tap the steering wheel, rotate your shoulders, chew gum. Keep
your body moving!
3. Taking breaks
Yes, just stop what you’re doing and take a nap. That way
you will keep yourself and other road users safe!
Stay safe on the road, guys!
Ps: Using your phone while driving is just as dangerous ok!
