WASHINGTON, DC, May 27, 2004-- The summer months usually mean more traffic on highways and back roads. While this year's soaring gas prices may deter some from long trips, millions of vacationers will be rushing to a variety of destinations, while others enjoy leisurely scenic drives. But gas prices should not be the only concern of those taking to the roads. Beware of drowsy drivers – and make sure you're not one of them, says the National Sleep Foundation (NSF).
More than one-half of adult drivers – some 100 million people – say they have driven drowsy in the past year, according to NSF polls. About one out of five of these drivers – 32 million people – say they have actually fallen asleep at the wheel.
"Our annual polls indicate that too many people are not serious about their sleep, and don't always understand how lack of sleep impacts alertness," says Richard L. Gelula, NSF's chief executive officer. "Driving while feeling drowsy or fatigued can be a deadly combination. People must remember that drowsy driving is an impairment that compares to drunk driving," Gelula adds.
Studies have linked sleep deprivation to slower reaction times, impaired judgment and decreased alertness. Young adults (18-29) are at a higher risk for drowsy driving than other age groups. A recent NSF poll found that more than 7 out of 10 young adult drivers reported driving drowsy with young male drivers at higher risk than females. Adults with children, shift workers, and people with untreated sleep disorders are also high risk groups.
"Millions of car crashes are waiting to happen because people are sleepy and not alert behind the wheel," says Gelula. "These crashes are often deadly – and always preventable."
People tend to fall asleep more on high-speed, long, straight, boring, rural highways. And studies show that most crashes or near misses occur during three times of the day – between midnight-2:00 a.m., 4:00-6:00 a.m., and 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Whether you're getting behind the wheel for a short drive to work, a leisurely day trip, or a longer drive to a vacation retreat, NSF has a simple message for you: don't get behind the wheel if you are feeling sleepy. Plan ahead. Get a good night's sleep the night before your trip.
Fatigue or drowsiness can occur while you're on the road; it's important to recognize these warning signs:
- Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking or heavy eyelids
- Trouble keeping your head up
- Yawning repeatedly
- Trouble remembering the last few miles driven
- Missing exits or traffic signs
- Drifting from your lane, tailgating, or hitting shoulder rumble strips
If you do become drowsy while driving, NSF warns you not to test your fatigue, even for a few miles. Stop driving! Remember these other tips:
- Pull off the road in a safe, well-lighted area, drink a caffeinated beverage or energy drink.
- Take a 15-20 minute nap. It takes about 30 minutes for the caffeine to work, so taking a nap while you wait for the caffeine to kick in can also help restore alertness.
- Don't try tricks such as opening a window or blasting a radio to improve alertness. They won't work!
NSF has one more bit of advice – drive alert and arrive alive.
For more information about drowsy driving, visit NSF's new Web site, www.drowsydriving.org.
The National Sleep Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving public understanding of sleep and sleep disorders, and by supporting public education, sleep-related research, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.sleepfoundation.org.
