Did You Know? Microsleep
Microsleep is a short sleep that lasts for a few seconds. Because the time is too short, sometimes some people don't realize they have microsleep.
When microsleep occurs, some parts of the brain "fall asleep", while other parts of the brain remain active. One part of the brain that is not active during microsleep is the part that processes sound. This is why people experiencing microsleep cannot respond to calls.
Signs of microsleep include:
- Loss of focus
- Don’t hear other people's conversations
- Don't remember what happened 1 – 2 minutes ago
- Dropping things that were holding
- Loss of control in posture so that the head suddenly falls
Dangers of Driving while Experiencing Microsleep
When the vehicle drives at a speed of 80 km/h and the driver experience a microsleep, then in just three seconds, it can go almost 70 meters without control and cause an accident. When microsleep occurs, the vehicle you are driving will experience an increase in speed, and then you are too late to hit the brake pedal, causing the car to go off the track without realizing it.
Therefore, please avoid driving when you’re sleepy. If possible, ask a friend to take turns driving and you can sleep for a while. However, if you’re driving alone, do the following to prevent microsleep:
- Listen to a song or radio
- Listen to audiobooks, choose an interesting content or story
- Eat snacks, drink coffee or similar drinks that can increase stamina
- If the drowsiness is unbearable, immediately pull over in a safe and comfortable place. Take the time to sleep for a while
Hopefully, the above information is helpful to increase knowledge about microsleep and make you more vigilant when driving because safety is the most important thing for all drivers.
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