©2011 American Academy of Sleep Medicine. What is Drowsy Driving? Too tired to remain alert Unable...


What is Drowsy Driving?

• Too tired to remain alert

• Unable to maintain focus

• Can fall asleep

• May lose control of the vehicle


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


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


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



• Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Study

• 100 vehicles driven every day for one year

• 2 million miles of real-world driving data

• A factor in at least 20% of all crashes



• 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.


How Sleep Deprived Are You?

• What is your typical weekday bedtime & wake time?

• How many hours of sleep does this schedule allow?

• Subtract this average from 9.

• Multiply by 5.


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 Effects of Sleep Deprivation?

• Mental distress• Lack of focus• Increased errors• Slowed thinking• Delayed response

times• “Microsleeps”• Lack of awareness


What Are the Effects of Sleep Deprivation?

• 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 sleep


How Drowsy Are You?

• Do you ever struggle to stay awake during class?

• Do you struggle to stay awake while reading a book?

• Do you feel sleepy when you do your homework?

• Do you ever fall asleep while watching TV?

• Do you feel drowsy when you ride in a car?

• Have you ever nodded off or fallen asleep while driving?


Can Drowsy-Driving Accidents Be Prevented?

• Using roadside rumble strips

• Briefly increase alertness


Can Drowsy-Driving Accidents Be Prevented?

• Developing alertness monitoring systems

• Innovative, hi-tech solutions


Can Legislation Deter Drowsy Driving?

• “Maggie’s Law” in New Jersey in 2003

• Vehicular homicide


Avoiding Drowsy Driving: Improving Your Sleep

1. Set a bedtime so you can get close to nine hours of sleep.

2. Maintain a reasonable weekend sleep schedule.

3. Keep the TV and computer out of your bedroom.

4. Enjoy bright morning light and keep lights dim at night.


Avoiding Drowsy Driving: Improving Your Sleep

5. Establish a relaxing routine to wind down before bedtime.

6. Plan ahead to avoid late-night studying.

7. Limit daytime naps.

8. Avoid afternoon caffeine.


Avoiding Drowsy Driving: Recognizing the Signs

1. 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.


Avoiding Drowsy Driving: Recognizing the Signs

5. You end up too close to cars in front of you.

6. You miss road signs or drive past your turn.

7. You drift into the other lane of traffic.

8. You drift onto the “rumble strip” or onto the shoulder of the road.


Avoiding Drowsy Driving:Making the Right Choices

1. Arrange for someone else to give you a ride.

2. Get a full night of sleep before driving.

3. Avoid driving late at night.

4. Avoid medications that cause sleepiness.


Avoiding Drowsy Driving: Making the Right Choices

5. Avoid driving alone.

6. On a long trip, share the driving with a passenger.

7. Use caffeine for a short-term boost.

8. Pull over at a rest stop and take a nap.


Be Alert About Drowsy Driving to Be Safe Behind the Wheel

• Drowsy driving can be deadly.• Drowsy driving is common among sleep-deprived

teens.• Sleep deprivation impairs driving performance.• Getting enough sleep is the best method of

prevention.• You should recognize the warning signs for drowsy

driving.• You must make the right choices to avoid drowsy

driving.

American Academy of Sleep Medicinewww.sleepeducation.com | www.aasmnet.org | 630-737-9700


©2011 American Academy of Sleep Medicine. What is Drowsy Driving? Too tired to remain alert Unable...

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