Drive Safe: Microsleep could cost your life

It has become somewhat of an annual event during the festive for stories of horrific accidents to make a big splash across the media sphere.

Based on data from the Malaysian Road Safety Department, from 2010 to 2019 saw an increase in cases during the Eid Fitri, more commonly known as Hari Raya, celebrations.

In 2010, there were a total 16,817 accidents reported followed by 2011 with 19,606 cases, 2012 (17,937 cases), 2013 (17,831 cases), 2014 (18,488 cases), 2015 (20,458 cases), 2016 (20,982 cases), 2017 (22,402 cases), 2018 (22,411 cases) and 2019 with 24,461 cases.

There are various factors for accidents occurring in which among them stems from microsleep.

Microsleep is a condition in where a person falls asleep for less than one to 30 seconds without realising it.

One of the incidents that stemmed from the situation occurred in July 2020, involving a university student named Amin Faizz who died after his motorcycle skidded in Linggi, Negeri Sembilan.

During the incident, the deceased was on his way back from Kluang, Johor to his campus in Serdang, Selangor.

For better awareness and knowledge on microsleep amidst the seasonal holidays now, we talk to experts on the matter.

No prior warning

Sleep Apnea Association of Malaysia President Associate Prof Dr Louis Adaikalam said microsleep is a short episode of uncontrollable sleep.

When such a process occurs, he said inputs from the senses of hearing and sight cannot be processed by the brain.

"It happens without warning and usually happens when a person drives a vehicle on a straight road. It can be triggered even with the driver's eyes open, but the individual is not aware of it,” he said.

He said the situation is more dangerous if someone is driving or operating machinery which has the potential to increase the risk of a more serious accident.

Microsleep, he said, can happen to anyone who suffers from sleep deprivation regardless of gender or age.

"Yes, this disorder (sleep) is common and can affect anyone in every social class and ethnic background," he told Sinar.

He said the quality of a person’s sleep also contributes to microsleep issues such as consistent sleep time and the number of hours allocated to sleep.

According to the Sleep Foundation, the United States (US), 18-year-olds to 64-year-olds need seven to nine hours of quality sleep, while those 65 and older need to sleep at least seven to eight hours a day.

Symptoms and warning signs that indicate you are about to experience microsleep and those things need to be monitored includes:

She advised to consult a doctor if you are experiencing microsleep episodes or have any medical conditions that may increase the risk of the sleep disorder.