Three stats that will wake you up
One of the most striking consequences of sleep disorders is drowsy driving. The social and economic burdens of drowsy driving are staggering. These statistics should get your attention:
- A recent American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety study found a drowsy driver was involved in 13% of non-fatal crashes that resulted in hospital admission and 21% of fatal crashes.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that from 2009 to 2013, there were 72,000 police-reported crashes involving drowsy drivers, injuring more than 41,000 people and killing more than 800.
- The 2014 AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index showed that 96% of sampled drivers considered it unacceptable for someone to drive when they are so sleepy that they have a hard time keeping their eyes open, yet a whopping 29% of them did just that in the prior 30 days.
Most drowsy driving accidents occur between two to six AM and two to four PM and after driving continuously for more than two hours. Younger drivers have the greatest risk. Drowsy driving is more common in those who do not get enough sleep, use medications that cause drowsiness (sleep aids, some antidepressants and antihistamines), drive commercial vehicles, have sleep disorders, and/or drive for many hours at night without a break.
Tips to avoid drowsy driving
Drowsy driving countermeasures include:
- Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep before driving
- Avoid driving late at night
- Avoid driving alone
- If feeling drowsy while driving, pull over at a rest stop, take a 15-30 minute nap and/or drink a cup of coffee
- Avoid alcohol
- On a long trip, share the driving with another passenger
You might be surprised that some common wake-promoting strategies are actually not so effective behind the wheel. Opening a window, listening to music, slapping one self and hitting a rumble strip are at the top of this list. Of course, the best countermeasure for drowsy driving is sufficient restorative sleep.