There is a stigma against drunk driving, in part, because driving while impaired can put other people at risk. There is less stigma associated with driving while drowsy or sleep deprived, yet the end result could be the same. Sleep deprivation can impair attention, decision making, and reaction time as much as alcohol intoxication.
This week is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 96% of Americans say that it is unacceptable to drive when one is so sleepy that they have trouble keeping their eyes open, yet one-third of Americans admitted to doing so in the past 30 days. Why do we fail to equate the potential risks and carelessness of drowsy driving with drunk driving?
As we approach the holidays, a time in which many people hit the road to visit family and friends, please be aware of these signs and symptoms of drowsy driving.
- Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids
- Difficulty keeping reveries or daydreams at bay
- Trouble keeping your head up
- Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips
- Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
- Missing exits or traffic signs
- Yawning repeatedly
- Feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive