Drowsy Driver Awareness Day last month was a clarion call for
all individuals to become educated about sleep and drowsy driving
and serves as an important reminder of the dangers associated with
drowsy driving.
Editor,
Drowsy Driver Awareness Day last month was a clarion call for all individuals to become educated about sleep and drowsy driving and serves as an important reminder of the dangers associated with drowsy driving.
While many people resist the urge to sleep, it is a necessary and natural function of our body that we require to function and perform each day. If you do not obtain the amount of sleep your body requires, it accumulates a sleep debt that results in drowsiness and sleep deprivation. The effects of drowsiness include lower levels of alertness, slower reaction times, difficulty with decision making, shorter attention span as well as weakened memory and coordination. Clearly, these effects make being drowsy that much more dangerous and potentiate serious consequences – especially when driving.
Unfortunately drowsy driving is more common than many realize and is as serious a problem as driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the U. S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is a cause of at least 100,000 auto crashes each year. These crashes injure an average of 40,000 people and result in more than 1,500 deaths; the NHTSA suggests that the actual numbers are much higher as the statistics do not include wrecks that occur during the day and also do not count crashes that involve more than one vehicle. If these and other factors were considered, the deadly toll of drowsy driving would be far greater.
Fortunately, these accidents can be prevented. It is essential that everyone make it a priority to get enough sleep each night. On average, adults require between seven and eight hours of sleep each night to feel well-rested and alert. Teen and young-adult drivers may actually require more hours of sleep each night. Additionally, millions of Americans suffer from untreated sleep disorders and may find they are unable to experience quality sleep and are at-risk for such accidents while driving and drowsy. These disorders, however, can be treated by visiting a sleep specialist. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine hosts a public education Web site, www.sleepeducation.com, which features in-depth and comprehensive information about sleep, sleep disorders, treatments and a national listing of sleep centers. The AASM encourages people to visit the site for comprehensive information about drowsy driving that highlights dangers and steps to prevent unnecessary accidents related to drowsy driving.
Michael J. Sateia, MD
President, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
