The Strain Of Night-Driving

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 5

The Strain Of Night-Driving

’pHINGS looked black indeed for the motorist. He had had a slight accident and on leaving his car, staggered all over the road. He was arrested, and a doctor called—who confirmed what the motorist had vehemently been claiming—that he had not had a single drink that evening.

The driver was suffering from what doctors are coming to call “night neurosis”—only one symptom of the everincreasing strain today’s driving conditions are imposing upon the human system. Few of us realise the extent of this strain. The ears, eyes, and reflexes are doing things they were never intended to do. But our bodies realise it all right, and sometimes they rebel and stage the nearest they can get to a “sit-down” strike.

Night Neurosis

The case of the dizzy motorist was cited at a recent Rome conference on the medical aspects of driving. “I learned long ago,” the speaker said, “that when a car driver complains that the room is going round, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s been on the bottle —although one would be stupid not to investigate this possibility first. . . .”

“Night neurosis”—surely the twentieth century’s pet disease—affects an enormous number of drivers after dark, and impairs their judgment of speed, distance and timing. Now car manufacturers, spending more than a third of their research budgets on safety, are calling in computers to improve seating, vision, control positions and ventilation—all vital factors in combating driving fatigue.

“There’s no doubt that there are many people dashing up and down our main roads today who have, medically, no right to be on the road at all,” a police surgeon said recently. “The rest of us should take things easier, stop getting so emotionally involved, and take more—and longer—rests on journeys.”

Eye-strain

The trouble is we are usually trying to get too far too fast. This causes eyestrain and nervous tension which is not helped by the basic “unnaturalness” of car driving. For the human body needs two things to keep in a state of balance: the steadiness of objects we look at, and the firm feel of the ground beneath our feet. In a car we have neither. Is It surprising, then, that we sometimes feel dizzy when we

suddenly regain these two essentials?

Providing you are basically fit, there are several things you can do to off-set the strain of driving. Never set off on a long drive after a long day’s work. Surveys have shown that only 40 per cent of drivers are really competent to undertake a long trip in darkness. Yet more and more basically week-end drivers undertake long, sometimes overnight, journeys to holiday places at home and abroad without making any special preparations. The first step a driver can take towards combatting fatigue is to make sure he is as fit as possible for the road.

This does not mean physical jerks every morning, but it does mean tackling a fivehour drive after a good night’s sleep and on something more than a cup of coffee for breakfast.

Breakfast Needed

A substantial breakfast is essential —and it will not induce drowsiness. But a heavy lunch, certainly if alcohol is drunk with it, undoubtedly does. Whatever the meal, it is as well to finish it off with a cup of black coffee.

Do not drive alone if you can possibly avoid it. Have the radio on—tuned to light music, not plays or talks. Have at least a 10-minute break every two and a half hours.

If you can not stop for a proper meal, at least, have a vacuum flask of hot tea or coffee handy, preferably well sweetened. Do not go too long without food—even biscuits or a sandwich will be enough to keep you going. Although makers take every care to make their vehicles comfortable, a standard car is designed for a standard person . . . and not everyone is standard! An adjustable back-rest on the seat is particularly helpful in reducing muscle strain, and consequently fatigue. Often, the angle of the seat can be slightly changed by the use of sturdy home-made supports.

Outwardly minor changes, like the building up of the accelerator pedal rubber, can often ease the strain on leg muscles.

Interior noise level is an important fatigue-factor, too. On some standard cars, the noise level can be reduced by fitting sound insulation kits—pieces of specially moulded felt, or similar material. A fresh atmosphere is also essential. Many cars now have air-flow systems. If yours has not, make one by using fresh air intakes or ventilators.

Effect Of Tension

Tension is responsible for more than its fair share of fatigue—and this, say the experts, commonly stems from a general feeling of inadequacy, and a suspicion that you will not be able to cope with a dangerous situation should it arise. Remember that most driving schools, as well as catering for learners, run courses for licence-holders too. Do not be ashamed to admit you do not know it all!

But if you do a lot of driving, and certainly if you take your family with you, the best precaution of all is a medical check—however well you might feel. For all of us, that '"accident situation” is only round the corner. It is comforting to know that if it comes, you are fit enough to deal with it.