The dangers of microsleep on the road, illustrated in stark details by a sufferer

EVERY endeavour is blessed when a person is to approach it with a fresh mind. Which brings to attention why people are advised not to drive when they are exhausted. 

Driving, after all, requires situational awareness and the lack of it spells disaster. Perhaps a recent tragic video best describes this situation.

In the video post, a motorcycle rider could be seen weaving in and out of the road at a slow pace. He appears to be in a questionable state of mind.

According to netizen @mynewshub who published the video, the man was suffering from fatigue, hence the behaviour.

Another netizen claimed he was a RELA member, further pointing out that he could have secured his helmet to his head when riding.

“If it comes off, buy a new one and wear it properly. The head is the softest object,” he cautioned.

Also, @ChllBro69 said it was lucky he landed on grass. However, @Fhxx96 believes it was irresponsible for the person in the car to video record the situation.

“You know he is already weaving in and out, yet you didn’t honk at him to bring him to awareness,” he said.

@DailyDoodl68713 further commented that he was under the effects of ketum while several other netizens claimed he was suffering from microsleep. 

According to the National Sleep Foundation, microsleep is when a person falls asleep for a period of several seconds.

As the name implies, microsleep occurs so quickly that people who have an episode might not even realise they have fallen asleep. 

The website added that microsleep can occur at any time of day, not just at night. During an episode, the person may appear to be awake, and even have their eyes open, yet the brain does not process the information. 

Away from the brief video, netizen @abgzulfikar came to shed some light into the situation. According to him, the victim was a RELA officer from Saratok.

“Occurred on 1 June while en route to work. Experienced microsleep. The incident happened on the Pan Borneo Saratok-Roban highway. Has received treatment and is currently in the process of recovery,” he said. —June 14, 2025

Main image: @mynewshub (X)

 

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