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Health Management, Preventing Fatigue/Drunk Driving, and Accident & Disaster Response

Automobile Transportation · 自動車運送業 · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Preventing Fatigued/Drowsy Driving and Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS)

Under Article 66 of the Road Traffic Act, operating any vehicle while in a condition where normal driving may be impaired due to overwork (fatigue), illness, medication, or other reasons is strictly prohibited.

If you feel strong drowsiness, sluggishness, blurred vision, or frequent yawning while driving, never try to push through using willpower or caffeinated drinks alone; promptly pull into an expressway SA/PA or safe parking area to take a short nap or break.

Due to the human circadian rhythm, drowsiness peaks between late night and early morning (around 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.) and in the early afternoon (around 2:00 p.m.), when severe drowsy-driving rear-end crashes occur most frequently.

If you experience overwhelming daytime sleepiness while driving despite getting enough hours of sleep at night, 'Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS)'—in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep and prevents deep rest—should be suspected.

Drivers with symptoms such as loud snoring, morning headaches, or unrefreshing sleep should promptly undergo SAS screening and medical evaluation and continue appropriate treatment such as CPAP therapy.

Preventing Fatigued/Drowsy Driving and Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS)

Key points


  • Driving when normal operation may be impaired by fatigue, illness, or medication is prohibited (Road Traffic Act Article 66)

  • When feeling drowsy, never push on—stop early in a safe parking place to take a nap or break

  • If severe daytime sleepiness persists despite sufficient sleep hours, get screened and treated for Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS)
WordMeaning
Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS)
drowsy / falling-asleep driving
short nap
screening test

Preventing Health-Related Accidents (Cerebrovascular & Heart Disease), Medication, and Reporting

The main causes of 'health-related accidents'—in which a driver suddenly loses consciousness or control at the wheel—are cerebrovascular diseases (cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage) and heart diseases (myocardial infarction, angina, aortic aneurysm rupture).

To detect these serious conditions early, operators must have drivers undergo periodic health checkups once a year (twice a year for late-night shift workers) and ensure follow-up testing and treatment whenever abnormal blood pressure, blood sugar, or lipid findings appear.

If you notice warning signs before or during driving—such as severe chest pain or pressure, sudden intense headache, numbness or paralysis on one side of the body, slurred speech, or dizziness/vision loss—stop immediately in a safe place, contact the Operation Manager, and call 119 for an ambulance.

Many cold medicines, allergy/hay-fever medications, and sleep or anti-anxiety drugs contain ingredients (such as antihistamines) that cause drowsiness and reduced alertness.

Whenever receiving medication from a doctor or pharmacist, always inform them that you are a professional driver so non-drowsy medication can be prescribed, and never drive after taking any medicine labeled 'Do not operate vehicles.'

Key points


  • Cerebrovascular and heart diseases are the main causes of health-related crashes; periodic checkups (twice yearly for night shifts) are vital

  • Stop immediately in a safe place and call 119 if you experience chest pain, sudden severe headache, one-sided numbness, or slurred speech

  • Always tell your doctor or pharmacist that you drive professionally and never drive after taking drowsy medication
WordMeaning
health-related traffic accident
cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
heart / cardiovascular disease
periodic health checkup

Eradicating Drunk Driving (Next-Morning Residual Alcohol) and Summer Heatstroke Prevention

Under Article 65 of the Road Traffic Act, driving any vehicle under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited, and severe criminal and administrative penalties apply not only to the driver but also to anyone who provides a vehicle or alcohol or rides along knowing the driver has been drinking.

Although alcohol metabolism varies by individual, it generally takes 'about 4 hours or more' for the liver to break down roughly 20 grams of pure alcohol (equivalent to one 500 ml medium bottle of beer or 180 ml of sake).

Moreover, alcohol breakdown slows down during sleep; drinking late or heavily the night before leaves residual alcohol in the body the next morning, which will be detected at the pre-shift roll call and constitutes drunk driving.

Therefore, abstain from alcohol or strictly manage the amount and cutoff time the day before duty, and if there is any chance alcohol remains in your system, never get behind the wheel—report immediately to your company.

In summer, 'heatstroke (netchusho)' during cargo handling or driving can cause dizziness and loss of consciousness leading to serious accidents; replenish water and salt (sodium) frequently before feeling thirsty and use air conditioning and shaded rest areas.

Key points


  • Strict penalties for drunk driving apply not only to the driver but also to vehicle providers, alcohol servers, and passengers

  • Breaking down one 500 ml bottle of beer takes at least 4 hours, and alcohol metabolism slows even further during sleep

  • To prevent heatstroke in summer, frequently replenish both water and salt before you feel thirsty
WordMeaning
drunk driving / driving under the influence
hangover / next-day residual alcohol
heatstroke / heat illness
salt / sodium replenishment

Legal Duties After a Traffic Accident (Stop, Aid the Injured, Prevent Secondary Crashes, Report)

In the event of a traffic accident, Article 72 of the Road Traffic Act establishes four mandatory duties that the driver must carry out immediately in the proper order of priority.

First, 'immediately stop driving the vehicle'; second, 'aid any injured persons (highest human-life priority)'; third, 'take measures to prevent danger on the road (prevent secondary accidents)'; and fourth, 'report the accident to the police (call 110).'

If anyone is injured, saving human life comes first: call an ambulance (119) and provide first aid. Unless there is an immediate danger of a secondary collision or fire, do not carelessly move an injured person who may have suffered a head or neck injury.

To prevent secondary accidents, turn on the hazard lights, set up a warning triangle and emergency flare well behind the vehicle, and evacuate any passengers to a safe location.

No matter how minor a collision or property-damage accident may seem, settling it privately on the spot without reporting to the police (110) is illegal; never make private settlement promises (jidan) on your own—always report to your depot's Operation Manager.

Key points


  • Accident response order: (1) Stop vehicle -> (2) Aid the injured (call 119) -> (3) Prevent secondary crashes -> (4) Report to police (call 110)

  • Do not move a victim with suspected head or neck injuries unless there is immediate danger of a secondary collision

  • Report even minor accidents to the police and Operation Manager, and never make private settlement promises at the scene
WordMeaning
aiding the injured
prevention of secondary accidents
property-damage accident
out-of-court private settlement

First Aid and Basic Life Support (Chest Compressions, AED Use, and Bleeding Control)

When aiding an injured person, first confirm the scene is safe, then gently tap the person's shoulders while calling out loudly to check for consciousness (response).

If there is no response, call loudly for help from bystanders to dial 119 and bring an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and look at the chest and abdomen for no more than 10 seconds to check for normal breathing.

If there is no normal breathing, immediately place overlapping hands in the center of the chest (lower half of the breastbone) and begin continuous 'chest compressions' pushing down 'about 5 cm deep' at a rate of '100 to 120 compressions per minute.'

As soon as the AED arrives, turn it on and follow its voice prompts to attach the electrode pads firmly to the victim's bare chest (upper right chest and lower left side). Ensure nobody touches the victim while the AED analyzes the heart rhythm or delivers an electric shock.

For severe bleeding, perform 'direct pressure hemostasis' by pressing a clean gauze pad, handkerchief, or towel firmly and directly onto the wound until paramedics take over.

Key points


  • If a victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 119, request an AED, and start chest compressions immediately

  • Perform chest compressions in the center of the chest about 5 cm deep at a tempo of 100 to 120 per minute

  • Stand clear of the victim during AED analysis and shock delivery, and control bleeding with direct pressure on the wound
WordMeaning
chest compressions (CPR)
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
direct pressure hemostasis (bleeding control)
first aid

Emergency Response for Stalling on a Railway Crossing or Vehicle Fire

When crossing a railway crossing, come to a complete stop before the stop line, open the window to look and listen both ways, confirm there is enough space on the far side for your vehicle to clear the tracks, and cross in one go without shifting gears on the tracks to prevent stalling.

If your vehicle becomes stuck or stalls inside a railway crossing, immediately evacuate any passengers clear of the tracks and press the 'emergency push button (crossing obstruction alarm)' on the crossing post without hesitation to alert approaching trains.

If there is no emergency button or even after pressing it, light the vehicle's 'emergency flare (hatsuento)' and wave it visibly toward the direction of the approaching train to signal the train driver.

If the crossing gates (barriers) come down and trap your vehicle inside the crossing, do not stay on the tracks—drive forward to push up or break through the barrier bar and escape clear of the crossing.

If you notice smoke or a burning smell indicating a vehicle fire while driving, immediately stop in a safe place, shut off the engine, evacuate passengers to a safe upwind location, call 119, and perform initial firefighting with the onboard fire extinguisher if safe to do so.

Key points


  • Before a railway crossing, stop completely and open the window to look and listen; never shift gears while on the tracks

  • If stalled on the tracks: evacuate passengers -> press the emergency button -> light the emergency flare to warn trains

  • If trapped by lowered crossing gates, push through the gate bar to escape; in a vehicle fire, evacuate passengers upwind
WordMeaning
emergency push button (at railway crossing)
railway crossing barrier bar
upwind
initial firefighting

Actions During Natural Disasters: Major Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Heavy Rain, and Heavy Snow

If a major earthquake occurs while driving, avoid sharp steering or hard braking; turn on your hazard lights, gradually reduce speed, pull over to the left side of the road (or onto the shoulder on an expressway), and come to a safe stop.

After stopping, shut off the engine, wait inside the vehicle until the shaking subsides, and gather accurate earthquake, tsunami, and traffic information via the car radio or smartphone.

If a tsunami warning or evacuation order requires you to abandon your vehicle and evacuate on foot to higher ground, pull over to the far left edge so as not to block emergency vehicles, shut off the engine, close the windows, 'leave the ignition key in the ignition (or place the smart key in a visible spot inside), and leave the doors UNLOCKED' before evacuating.

This is a critical rule so that police officers or firefighters arriving later can move the vehicle out of the way to clear a path for emergency response vehicles.

Furthermore, if stranded in heavy snow and forced to wait inside the vehicle, snow blocking the exhaust pipe (muffler) causes exhaust gas to back up into the cabin and leads to fatal 'carbon monoxide poisoning'; keep the engine off in principle, or regularly clear snow from around the tailpipe and ventilate the cabin.

Key points


  • During a major earthquake, avoid sudden inputs, turn on hazard lights, slow down gradually, and pull over to the left

  • When abandoning a vehicle to evacuate: pull to the left, close windows, leave the key inside, and leave the doors unlocked

  • When waiting in a snowbound vehicle, guard against carbon monoxide poisoning caused by snow blocking the exhaust pipe
WordMeaning
emergency passage vehicle
tsunami warning
carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
exhaust pipe (muffler)

Health, Fatigue Prevention and Accident Response

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