{"id":5600,"date":"2019-11-19T01:26:47","date_gmt":"2019-11-19T09:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=5600"},"modified":"2021-02-02T18:25:48","modified_gmt":"2021-02-03T02:25:48","slug":"drowsy-driving-signs-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/drowsy-driving-signs-and-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"A Wake-up Call Against Drowsy Driving: Serious Signs and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

Most of us underestimate the benefits of a good night’s sleep. We live in a time where being overworked and sleep-deprived are proudly worn as badges of honor. But what many of us fail to realize is that allowing this mindset to become the norm is not only ruining our health, but also killing thousands of our fellow Americans on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is drowsy driving dangerous? The statistics are shocking. In 2017 alone, up to 91,000 road accidents were caused by drivers who were sleepy or falling asleep at the wheel. Drowsy driving resulted in 50,000 injuries and 800 fatalities in the same year. Between 2013 and 2017, more than 4,000 Americans died in a fatal motor vehicle crash caused by drowsy driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drowsy driving statistics estimate that 1 in every 25 drivers will fall asleep behind the wheel every month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"driver
91,000 road accidents were caused by drowsy drivers in 2017 alone.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is Drowsy Driving?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drowsy driving is a form of impaired driving that occurs when someone operates a motor vehicle while excessively sleepy or fatigued. This is attributed to a lack of adequate and quality rest. People who sleep six hours or less every day have been proven to have a greater risk of nodding off while driving, potentially resulting in serious or fatal collisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n\"CarParts.com\"\n<\/div>\n
\n \n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Happens When You Drive While Drowsy?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Driving while feeling sleepy has been linked to impaired cognition and performance, as well as slower reaction times. This makes it more difficult to quickly apply the brakes or steer in a different direction in an emergency. You are also more likely to make risky decisions that can put you and other people in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extreme drowsiness can sometimes trigger a brief loss of consciousness called “microsleep,” which normally lasts between four to five seconds. This may seem like an insignificant amount of time, but to put it in perspective, that’s like driving blindfolded for 100 yards at 55 miles per hour. That’s enough to miss important road signs, signals from other vehicles, and crossing pedestrians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, when you’re driving at freeway speeds, those precious seconds can make all the difference between life and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are Americans Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The two main factors that contribute to drowsy driving are sleep quantity and quality. Sleep experts describe healthy sleep as periods of rest that are free from disturbance and disorders, meet the adequate number of hours, and happen regularly at the appropriate hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The average adult requires 7 hours of sleep or more per night. Anything below this can result in excessive sleepiness that can compromise your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) report on morbidity and mortality estimates that 1 out of every 3 Americans are not getting the recommended number of hours of sleep per night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are at Risk of Drowsy Driving?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Commercial Drivers<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These drivers generally spend extended periods on the road, operating large vehicles such as trucks, trailers, and buses. Some commercial drivers, particularly those who make long-haul trips, may sometimes sleep inside their vehicles during scheduled stops. However, more often than not, sleeping in a vehicle is less likely to produce the same quality of sleep as lying comfortably in a bed at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"drowsy
Commercial drivers generally spend extended periods on the road<\/span>. Sleeping conditions inside their vehicles or during stops are not likely to produce quality sleep.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Shift Workers and Business Travelers<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Working the night shift, taking on irregular shifts, and frequently traveling across time zones can do a number on a person’s sleep cycle. Sleeping while the sun is up or at different hours every day is bound to disrupt and shorten your sleep time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also make it harder for your body to settle into a healthy sleeping routine. This can force shift workers and business travelers to become more reliant on pills and sedatives that may cause residual sleepiness throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. People with Untreated Sleep Disorders<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Undiagnosed and untreated sleeping disorders can prevent you from getting good sleep and make you excessively tired throughout the day. These include obstructive sleep apnea, which can prevent you from feeling well-rested despite completing the recommended number of hours of sleep; insomnia, which will keep you from falling asleep altogether; and narcolepsy, which can cause your body to shut down and sleep at random times—making it an extremely dangerous condition to have when you’re on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. People Suffering from Acute Sleep Deprivation<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Students, medical professionals, parents of newborns, and caregivers of sick loved ones are just some examples of people who have no other choice but to stay awake for longer periods of time. They are more likely to suffer from acute sleep deprivation and must avoid driving without proper rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serious Signs that You are Drowsy and Should Not be Driving<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n