Half of Chinese drivers have once catnapped behind the wheel, according to China's first ever survey on drivers' vigilance.

Among the 516 drivers surveyed, nearly a quarter reported fatigue driving, half said they have sleeping problems, and 10 percent admitted they had dozed off before being stopped for the survey on the same day, the survey says.

The test results of a special "psychovigilance task (PVT)" apparatus used in this survey on drivers' vigilance found 20 percent of them showed slow reaction.

The survey also showed that 82 percent of drivers have less than eight sleep hours a day and 47.7 percent have less than seven hours, while 90 percent take no measures to treat their sleeping problems and the rest just rely on alcohol, tonic or even sleeping pills.

This survey, an important event jointly launched by the Beijing Municipal Traffic Bureau, China National Radio, Chinese Medical Association and Sanofi-Synthelabo Minsheng Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. for World Sleep Day on March 21 this year, is the first of its kind in China.

It aims to study the relationship between drivers' vigilance and sleep and was conducted simultaneously on the expressways of Beijing-Shijiagzhuang and Shanghai-Hangzhou on March 20 and 21 this year.

Mei Bingsong, director of the Accident Department under the Beijing Municipal Traffic Bureau, said that fatigue driving, just like drunken driving, was very dangerous and had been a serious traffic problem.

"Inadequate sleep, insomnia and disturbed sleep order are to blame for fatigue and fatigue driving," said Professor Li Shunwei from Beijing (Peking) Union Medical College Hospital. "Fatigue is as harmful as alcohol or drugs, and only adequate sleep can ensurea clear mind and high vigilance for drivers."

He suggested that drivers follow a regular rest pattern, avoid drinking or using stimulating medicines, and particularly, have a good sleep before driving.

"Love your life, stop fatigue driving. This is what I want to tell the drivers," he added.

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