- Driving drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. Teenagers, older adults, and those who are sleep-deprived are among the highest risk groups. (AAA Study and "Asleep at the Wheel," CBS This Morning, December 6, 2016)
- Sleep-deprived drivers who miss 2-3 hours of sleep a day, quadruple their risk of getting in a crash, compared to drivers who get at least 7 hours.
1 in 5 crashes where someone dies in that crash involves a driver who was drowsy or hadn't had enough sleep the night before. (AAA Study and "Asleep at the Wheel," CBS This Morning, December 6, 2016)
- Staying awake for 24 hours can leave you as tired and impaired as someone with a .l0 alcohol level.
- To avoid drowsiness while driving –
- Take a break every 100 miles.
- Take turns driving with a partner.
- Pull over and rest.
- Do not start your trip at night.
- Do not rely on rolling down the window or turning on the radio—they do NOT work!