No-Doz, The Driver's Friend.

[Cruiser Elite]

I have resisted posting on this thread because when I read the OP I thought, 'Not for real! It's a wind-up'.............. Given the previous posts by this person I still think I am correct

(Seriously, this thread has to be a wind-up.)

Didn't thread title give that away right from the get go? But Renato has seriously done a good job - look how many have been sucked in!

 

[anat0l]

Didn't thread title give that away right from the get go? But Renato has seriously done a good job - look how many have been sucked in!

I'll confess that I have.

That said, there is an arguable good case to be unwittingly engaged here. Some person is dishing out what seems like sound medical advice, when in fact they are endangering them. This is like anti-vaxxer behaviour really - it's nearly impossible to let it go unchecked.

Not only that, but they also seem to be good at twisting words and opinions to suit their cause. Sickening ethics, really, especially given the age of the poster.

At least I haven't written my usual huge essay, which I know most people don't necessarily like to read, but as you imply, it would be a grand waste of time.

 

[Deleted member]

Last year I drove for over 10 and half hours to the Amalfi Coast at speeds of 130kph to 140kph (when over taking trucks). Last month I drove for 10 and a half hours or more on two occasions in the USA, and for eight or nine hours on another two - for the most part at 70 or 75mph, and often creeping up to 80mph.

Quite frankly, I don't think that at my age (late 50s) I could have done three of those trips without the No-Doz tablets that are sold at chemists and supermarkets like Woolworths. I would have had to cut the trips in half and stayed at some out of the way place, often in the middle of nowhere in the USA.

The tablet only contains caffeine and vitamins, and is supposed to be the equivalent of a cup of coffee - but on me it seems to work much better than any Italian espresso or American coffee or Starbuck's cans of doubleshot coffee. Four tablets spaced out during the trip, coupled with cups of coffee seemed to be all I needed to stay very alert while driving at high speed.

On my last trip from San Francisco to LA, I had run out of No-Doz tablets, and instead relied on Starbuck's Doubleshot cans of coffee. What should have been an easy six and a half hour trip wound up stretching out to over nine hours as I constantly kept having to stop, since the coffee wasn't working as well as the No-Doz.

Does anybody else use these little miracle tablets to avoid getting killed on very long road journeys in foreign countries?
Regards,
Renato

Spoken like someone with total disregard to the welfare of other drivers. As someone who has lost a young family member to road death, I find your cavalier attitude just a wee but offensive.
Try taking a (coffee. Tea) break, a nap and or a stroll in the fresh air.

 

[Pushka]

Well, from past posts by Renato this is the way he writes. So he has either been a troll all along or this is legit. Jury is out for me.

 

[anat0l]

Spoken like someone with total disregard to the welfare of other drivers. As someone who has lost a young family member to road death, I find your cavalier attitude just a wee but offensive.
Try taking a (coffee. Tea) break, a nap and or a stroll in the fresh air.

Just a wee bit offensive? Let's just say I'm glad the original poster is not in the same room as me right now.

The point is not about the No-Doze as such. The point is that people should really consider carefully their capabilities of driving if they are tired. No-Doze, a shot of coffee or whatever is no instant antidote for that kind of condition. You can have one, and it does not assure that you are now ready to drive. You still need to evaluate truly if you are fit to drive or not; if you even have any doubt (and you are a sensible person), for God's sake, don't drive (unless, I don't know, you were being pursued by a serial killer or something).

No-Doze is not a panacea. It is not a miracle pill. It is not a "driver's friend". It does not guarantee that you will be a safer or more alert driver; to claim so sends the absolutely wrong message in terms of driver safety. I think we have seen how the OP's attitude absolutely shows the contempt he has for road safety, let alone the welfare of the drivers around him. If that isn't absolutely disgusting then it would be bordering on criminal.

 

[nlagalle]

All I have to say is it seems the OP has totally disproved all the TAC ads about fatigue and pulling over for a power nap.. How many millions did they waste with that research and promotion? The OP has shown all you need are a couple of No Doz tablets and the road toll will drop..

/Sarcasm mode off

 

[straitman]

All I have to say is it seems the OP has totally disproved all the TAC ads about fatigue and pulling over for a power nap.. How many millions did they waste with that research and promotion? The OP has shown all you need are a couple of No Doz tablets and the road toll will drop..

/Sarcasm mode off

It's government. It's their job to waste money.

 

[under the radar]

I cant believe people are still giving this thread (the OP) 'oxygen'. 12 pages:shock:. Clearly the OP can't see logic, and will no doubt blame everyone and everything else if/when something goes wrong. I just hope the OPs 'logic' doesn't affect/kill innocent people. By all means OP, kill yourself (hit a tree or something similar), just don't drag others into it. IVE SAID MY PIECE AND I WONT BE FEEDING THE OP.

 

[marki]

If there's no tiredness, then presumably the caffeine is irrelevant. Nothing you're saying here is convincing me that you're a good judge of, well, pretty much anything.

Just stay away from my daughters on the road.

So when I am on the road after two expresso's shots I will call you to warn you. This is going down silly street ....... Naive ....... There are far more dangerous things on the road ....... Impaired people due to drugs( ie. Cannabis which lasts much longer than caffeine. Alcohol all natural products BTW.

Trying to go too far is not an idea we would try. You need to realise life is not a dress rehearsal.
Having had two near death experiences have certainly helped make me conservative in my thinking and I don't use stimulants for driving long distances. It is downright risky to others on the road and stopping when tired always works.
Stay alive and live the dream is what I am thinking.

I think the point here is " risky ". But not illegal ! This is why you can purchase caffeine in various forms and places.

However banning it outright would be silly like turning a country into a nanny state. None of you above are wrong, for that matter but some of you are more equal than others

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There are far more dangerous things on the road ....... Impaired people due to drugs( ie. Cannabis which lasts much longer than caffeine. Alcohol all natural products BTW.

Well I dunno? If you're talking about caffeine... well that in itself probably isn't dangerous.

But if you're talking about caffeine to specifically fight off tiredness - I don't know if that assertion is necessarily true.

The TAC (Victoria) estimates 16-20% of all accidents involve fatigue https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/tac-campaigns/fatigue.

A 2013 quote from the Centre for Road Safety in NSW states 16% of road fatalities involved illicit substances - although this could be in the 30% range now (via abc news: Drug-drivers now more prominent than drink-drivers, with 30pc of fatal road accidents involving drugs, research says - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).)

At 20% (fatigue) and 30% (illicit substances) - I'd not say one is 'far more dangerous' - I think both are very dangerous.

 

[tgh]

This thread could use some humour and/or some common sense.The Op has managed to wind up a lot of respondents with responses covering high moral ground , denigration of the poster and even outright anger.


Many years ago substance abuse at the level the OP is advocating would have been so common as to elicit no comment at most social levels.
One driver of a large articulated heavy vehicle carrying massive earthmoving machines was surviving on beer and bex powders until I ended his employment.
Driving all day and then most of the night with the substance of choice propping up the eyelids was completely unremarkable across most demographic groups.


Today the level of social substance abuse and the demarcation of socially acceptable /not acceptable is perhaps a moveable feast based on demographic criteria.
Pill popping to cram for exams is socially acceptable for many.
Over indulging in alcohol/food/(your poison) and in the process costing the society considerable support funding is another socially acceptable activity.
There are many more...


I opine that the OP’s little game indicates that a lot of responders live extremely sheltered lives with little exposure to a very diverse world.
A nice tradie who visits occasionally is notable in that his ute is always heavily littered with empty Red Bull cans , he drives hundreds of km a day in his job.
The morning weeties and last nights steak ,delivered to the thread respondents , were more than likely piloted at some stage by a driver whose behaviour was affected by a substance.




Finally , just to dot the i. , I don’t condone or support the public advocacy of even benign substance abuse and the that end suggest that a moderator lock the thread.

 

[Boca68]

Quite a read, huh!

Just read through it, had to keep going to the next page! I was waiting for Barbra to appear...

For those not aware, I give you .... Barbra...http://www.australianfrequentflyer....flight-centre-vs-skyscanner-online-74290.html

Be warned, its a looong read! And about as frustrating.

In fact, Renato and Barbra, has anyone seen them in the same room??

 

[marki]

Well I dunno? If you're talking about caffeine... well that in itself probably isn't dangerous.

But if you're talking about caffeine to specifically fight off tiredness - I don't know if that assertion is necessarily true.

The TAC (Victoria) estimates 16-20% of all accidents involve fatigue https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/tac-campaigns/fatigue.

A 2013 quote from the Centre for Road Safety in NSW states 16% of road fatalities involved illicit substances - although this could be in the 30% range now (via abc news: Drug-drivers now more prominent than drink-drivers, with 30pc of fatal road accidents involving drugs, research says - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).)

At 20% (fatigue) and 30% (illicit substances) - I'd not say one is 'far more dangerous' - I think both are very dangerous.

Tiredness and fatigue are separate from Caffeine ! IMHO one should endeavour never to drive fatigued. But as I have pointed out to you all as a person very much involved in aeromedical fatigue management. A fatigued brain usually does not recognise it is fatigued so that's why it's so regulated by CASA amongst others. You fly only so many hours and that's it.

Renato,

I assume you're simply trolling people with this thread.

But if you're not, here's my $0.02:



If you feel that you cannot drive safely without the use of stimulants, you shouldn't drive.

If you feel that it is your advancing age that is limiting your ability to drive, you should probably submit yourself for further drivers' licence testing.

Advancing age doesn't just impair your tolerance for long-distance driving, but also the speed of your reflexes, and your ability to make appropriate judgements.

Although you allege that your brain has appropriate stimulants and glucose, that doesn't necessarily mean that your higher function centres are working well.

It seems to me that this is the second post within a year bemoaning your reducing abilities in the face of advancing age, so perhaps you should restrict yourself to more age- and ability-appropriate pursuits. Especially when you've admitted that you have disc issues that may impair your lower limb function ie the ability to move your feet quickly from accelerator to brake.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....flying-emirates-start-training-now-70245.html

Also I would recommend that you see your GP, because perhaps you need different medication and a cardiovascular review, rather than high doses of caffeine and its attendant risks/side-effects.

If this wasn't an anonymous forum, I'd be obligated to report you to the state Transport/Driving License authority.

Otherwise, good troll! I love how you fit the stereotypical grumpy-old-man role perfectly!

Ouch that's really getting personal there Artemis ..... I did not know that Renato was Grumpy and old.

I do a lot of driving medicals and Pilot Medicals. I do find it challenging at times balancing the communities safety, expectations and the patients needs, expectations and personal safety. Medical hammers to check for knee, ankle reflex arc. The point I am making here one cannot make assumptions about everyone. And cast their disapproving finger and play God With their inscrutable like opinions.

Everyday People drink coffee. Many in my circle around me do so as well. Some have learnt, (and everybody is different) to cope with its side effects, being-it visiting the toilet more frequently, tachycardia.......anxiety etc some tolerate caffeine some don't. Some families give the driver lots of caffeine ( coffee or tea) to encourage more stops. Why else are there free driver reviver pit stops offering the driver free coffee?

What about those drivers on the road with prescription opiates!!

Legal yes ....... But some like to take opiates to be able to drive ( otherwise they cannot due to back pain) this is where it gets iffy ...... And dangerous. IMHO. Pffft Caffeine and fatigue are not your real problems here.

Caffeine is the least of your problems. Fatigue is a killer. Agreed. And nobody should be be driving in such states. But as I said earlier a fatigued brain does not recognise that it is fatigued. So you do get a lot of accidents due to that. The aeromedical world is ruled by fatigue mitigation strategies that are adhered to via regulation. The same doctors that came up with these brilliant ideas don't seem to be able to regulate their own hours very well. For example;

Country doctors are usually 24/7 On call work the next day despite being up all night. This is crazy and dangerous. What can you do if there is an emergency after emergency. There is sometimes no let up. These situations are becoming less of an issue, manageable with staffing becoming more manageable.

Have seen young fit athletes with sudden cardiac arrests and deaths due to ingestion of Caffeine related products like red bull in large does or when mixed with other legal substances ( alcohol). These are rarer but shows the wide spectrum of side effects.

All drugs are Poisens it's the dose that matters although some even in small doses are unacceptable.

Now I await the wrath for speaking up

 

[Pushka]

Quite a read, huh!

Just read through it, had to keep going to the next page! I was waiting for Barbra to appear...

For those not aware, I give you .... Barbra...http://www.australianfrequentflyer....flight-centre-vs-skyscanner-online-74290.html

Be warned, its a looong read! And about as frustrating.

In fact, Renato and Barbra, has anyone seen them in the same room??

They are different I am sure. Renato has a good writing style even if you don't agree with the content. Barbra - I always wondered if her name was actually Barbara and she was 'spellingly challenged!'

 

[marki]

They are different I am sure. Renato has a good writing style even if you don't agree with the content. Barbra - I always wondered if her name was actually Barbara and she was 'spellingly challenged!'

Pushka and Boca please Leave Bar-Bra ( sic)? Out of this seriously

 

[Julesmac]

I got about six pages in (that's a chunk of my life I won't get back) before thinking 'surely this is Barbra'.....did we ever work out who was behind that cough? Since 'she' has not been on air for quite a while; I'm a bit frightened about saying that as I don't want to wake her up.

 

[Walter_Plinge]

Does anybody else use these little miracle tablets to avoid getting killed on very long road journeys in foreign countries?
Regards,
Renato

Caffeine doesn't nothing for me. I prefer 2 mg nicotine lozenges.

 

[Fantic125]

No the case study does not support what you wrote at all.
From the abstract
"Conclusions: Caffeinated substances are associated with a reduced risk of crashing for long distance commercial motor vehicle drivers. While comprehensive mandated strategies for fatigue management remain a priority, the use of caffeinated substances could be a useful adjunct strategy in the maintenance of alertness while driving."

The article about the study aims to describe in plain English what the study is saying.

If you believe that the use of caffeine whilst driving long distances with no rest stops decreases your crash risk then perhaps you'll see the validity of this.
View attachment 74615

I feel I need to weigh into the debate here. The correlation graph that Princess Fiona posted is totally ludicrous and bears no relation to the findings in the case study.

Fiona would have been much closer to the mark if she had used a true and factual correlation graph such as the one below relating to the true cause of global warming. (And if you think.... "That's ridiculous", that is also my thought about this post.)

 

[get me outta here]

I have just one word to say to you, "Pauline". Let sleeping giants lie.

Pushka and Boca please Leave Bar-Bra ( sic)? Out of this seriously

I got about six pages in (that's a chunk of my life I won't get back) before thinking 'surely this is Barbra'.....did we ever work out who was behind that cough? Since 'she' has not been on air for quite a while; I'm a bit frightened about saying that as I don't want to wake her up.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I feel I need to weigh into the debate here. The correlation graph that Princess Fiona posted is totally ludicrous and bears no relation to the findings in the case study.

Fiona would have been much closer to the mark if she had used a true and factual correlation graph such as the one below relating to the true cause of global warming. (And if you think.... "That's ridiculous", that is also my thought about this post.)

View attachment 74704

That graph was my backup