Drowsy driving
How Common is Drowsy Driving?
37% of people reported driving drowsy •10% of drowsy drivers reported driving drowsy in the past month •7.5 million drivers had driven drowsy in the past month
Why Are Teens So Sleep Deprived?
A biological change •Early school start times •Multiple obligations •Lifestyle choices & technological distractions •Irregular sleep schedules
What Are the Consequences of Drowsy Driving?
At least 100,000 motor-vehicle crashes each year •More than 1,500 deaths per year •An estimated $12.5 billion in annual loss
Avoiding Drowsy Driving: Making the Right Choices
Avoid driving alone. 2.On a long trip, share the driving with a passenger. 3.Use caffeine for a short-term boost. 4.Pull over at a rest stop and take a nap.
Can Legislation Deter Drowsy Driving?
Maggie's Law" in New Jersey in 2003 •Vehicular homicide
What Are the Effects of Sleep Deprivation?
Mental distress •Lack of focus •Increased errors •Slowed thinking •Delayed response times •"Microsleeps" •Lack of awareness
What Are Typical Features of Drowsy-Driving Accidents?
Occur late at night or early in the morning •Occur at high speeds •Are single-vehicle crashes •Lack avoidance maneuvers
When does drowsy driving occur
Schedule changes •School breaks •Summer vacation •Homecoming and Prom season
Who is Most Likely to Drive Drowsy?
Sleep deprivation •Alcohol consumption •Medication •Night shifts or rotating shifts •Untreated sleep disorders •Teenagers
Why Are Teens Likely to Drive Drowsy? •
Teens need a little more than 9 hours of nightly sleep. •Only about 15% sleep for 8.5 hours on school nights. •About 26% sleep only 6.5 hours on school nights. •Teens accumulate a large sleep debt. •This ongoing sleep loss has a severe effect.
Drowsy Driving
Too tired to remain alert •Unable to maintain focus •Can fall asleep •May lose control of the vehicle
Can Drowsy-Driving Accidents Be Prevented?
Using roadside rumble strips •Briefly increase alertness
How Common is Drowsy Driving?
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Study •100 vehicles driven every day for one year •2 million miles of real-world driving data
What Are the Effects of Sleep Deprivation? 2
Being awake for 18 hours = being at 60% of the legal limit for drinking •Being awake for 24 hours = being 25% OVER the legal limit for drinking •Drinking one beer with four hours of sleep is equivalent to drinking a 6-pack with 8 hours of sleepb 2
Avoiding Drowsy Driving: Recognizing the Signs 2
You end up too close to cars in front of you. 2.You miss road signs or drive past your turn. 3.You drift into the other lane of traffic. 4.You drift onto the "rumble strip" or onto the shoulder of the road.
signs of drowsy driving
You keep yawning. 2.You are unable to keep your eyes open. 3.You catch yourself "nodding off" and have trouble keeping your head up. 4.You can't remember driving the last few miles.
