#13 Diabetes, Awareness and Fatigue | How Your Sleep Affects More Than Just Your Driving

Driver fatigue is a term often associated with those spending long hours behind the wheel, such as drivers in the freight industry and those undertaking long road trips, whether for leisure or work.But driving a vehicle while impacted by sleep loss is a much wider issue in the community, including over short distances.The Sleep Health Foundation estimates that more than half of Australian adults are suffering from at least one chronic sleep symptom. And almost half (48%) of all Australian adults report at least two sleep-related problems according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.It follows that the number of drivers on our roads who are operating a vehicle while affected by sleep loss must also be high.To talk through the impacts of poor-quality and inadequate sleep on those operating a vehicle, we spoke with Dr Nicholas Mabbott, Director of Beyond Midnight Consulting with over 25 years’ experience in sleep and fatigue management.00:00 Understanding Driver Fatigue 00:51 The Importance of Quality Sleep 01:02 The Science Behind Sleep Cycles 01:52 The Impact of Poor Sleep on Health 02:44 Strategies for Better Sleep 05:57 The Role of Melatonin and Body Clock 14:15 Driving and Sleep Deprivation 27:35 The Impact of Passengers on Driver Fatigue 29:01 Holiday Driving Risks and Tips 30:07 Planning for Safe Long Drives 36:56 The Role of Technology in Fatigue Management 40:49 The Importance of Sleep Hygiene 51:44 Managing Fatigue During the Holidays 53:42 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsGuest Dr Nicholas Mabbott, Director of Beyond Midnight Consulting www.youtube.com/@drnicholasmabbott7549Subscribe and share  If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.     Find us onlineWebsite: https://rac.com.au/horizons   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HorizonsRAC  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racwa/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racwa/    Legal disclaimer  The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.