Crash in Bed
Not on the Road
Most people are aware of the hazards of drunk driving. But
driving while sleepy can be just as dangerous. Indeed,
crashes due to sleepy drivers are as deadly as those due to
drivers impaired by alcohol. And you don’t have to be asleep
at the wheel to put yourself and others in danger. Both
alcohol and a lack of sleep limit your ability to react quickly
to a suddenly braking car, a sharp curve in the road, or other
situations that require rapid responses. Just a few seconds’
delay in reaction time can be a life-or-death matter when
driving. When people who lack sleep are tested on a driving
simulator, they perform as badly as or worse than those who
are drunk. The combination of alcohol and lack of sleep can
be especially dangerous. There is increasing evidence that
sleep deprivation and inexperience behind the wheel, both
particularly common in adolescents, is a lethal combination.
Of course, driving is also hazardous if you fall asleep at the
wheel, which happens surprisingly often. One-quarter of
the drivers surveyed in New York State reported they had
fallen asleep at the wheel at some time. Often, people briefly
nod off at the wheel without being aware of it—they just
can’t recall what happened over the previous few seconds
or longer. And people who lack sleep are more apt to take
risks and make poor judgments, which also can boost their
chances of getting in a car crash.
Opening a window or turning up the radio won’t help you
stay awake while driving. The bottom line is that there is no
substitute for sleep. Be aware of these warning signs that
you are too sleepy to drive safely: trouble keeping your eyes
open or focused, continual yawning, or being unable to recall
driving the past few miles. Remember, if you are short on
sleep, stay out of the driver’s seat!