DROWSY DRIVING
RISK FACTORS
- Motor vehicle accidents relating to drowsy driving are most likely to occur between 2-6 a.m.
- Other risk factors include age 16-24 years, use of sedating medications or substances, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, and driving for many hours without a break.
AVOID DROWSY DRIVING
- Aim for 7+ hours of sleep before driving.
- Avoid driving alone or late at night.
- Pull over at a rest stop, take a 15 to 30 minute nap, and/or drink a cup of coffee.
- Do not drink alcohol if feeling sleepy.
- On a long trip, share the driving with another person if possible.
SOCIETAL IMPACT
- 13% of crashes lead to hospital admission and 21% of fatal crashes are thought to be secondary to drowsy driving.
- Road injuries are the 5th leading cause of death in the world.
- Between 2009 and 2013, 72,000 motor vehicle crashes were reported in the U.S., injuring more than 41,000 people and killing more than 800.
- The worldwide economic cost of motor vehicle accidents is estimated at over $500 billion.
Take the “4 Week Sleep Challenge” to learn more about your sleep pattern.
The better your sleep habits, the better you’ll feel!