Many teenagers say they’ve pushed whereas they really feel drowsy — and so they imagine that it’s not as harmful as driving whereas drunk or distracted.
That’s simply one of many findings revealed within the 2023 Drowsy Driving Survey from the Nationwide Sleep Basis (NSF) in Washington, D.C., which explored 1,124 American teenagers’ attitudes and behaviors about drowsy driving.
One in six teenagers reported having pushed whereas drowsy throughout their first two years behind the wheel, the survey discovered.
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A overwhelming majority (95%) of teenagers acknowledged that drowsy driving is harmful — however they do not suppose it is as harmful as drunk driving, drugged driving or distracted driving.
“It is very important notice that drowsy driving is impaired driving, unequivocally — identical to drunk, drugged and distracted driving,” stated Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, vice chairman of analysis and scientific affairs for the NSF, in an announcement to Fox Information Digital.
A stunning variety of teenagers, in accordance with a brand new survey, say they’ve pushed whereas feeling drowsy — and so they imagine it’s not as harmful as driving whereas drunk or distracted. (iStock)
So far as the explanations for drowsy driving, a majority of teenagers cited schoolwork and jobs as the largest causes for his or her sleep deprivation.
“Drowsy driving is impaired driving, unequivocally — identical to drunk, drugged and distracted driving.”
Teenagers who’ve jobs stated they have been twice as prone to have pushed whereas fatigued, to the purpose that they “had a tough time holding their eyes open.”
Examine limitations
The survey did have one chief limitation, Dzierzewski famous — which is the potential underreporting of drowsy driving.
“Nevertheless, this may imply that the precise charges of drowsy driving are even greater than what we discovered, suggesting the issue could also be extra widespread than presently believed,” he added.
A majority of teenagers who had pushed drowsy cited schoolwork and jobs as the largest culprits for his or her sleep deprivation. (iStock)
“One thing we discovered stunning is that although motorized vehicle crashes are the second main reason behind dying amongst youngsters, most teenagers rated drunk, drugged and distracted driving as extra harmful,” Dzierzewski famous.
“Clearly, there is a chance for extra training.”
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Drowsy driving is totally preventable, Dzierzewski stated, emphasizing the necessity to train younger drivers concerning the significance of getting the mandatory quantity of sleep earlier than working a car.
In a corresponding survey of 1,349 adults, the NSF discovered that the adults have been much more prone to drive whereas drowsy — with six in 10 reporting having accomplished so.
Suggestions for secure driving
Drowsy driving prevention is “everybody’s duty,” Dzierzewski emphasised.
“At all times be looking out for drowsy driving warning indicators when behind the wheel,” he suggested.
To forestall drowsy driving, specialists advocate driving with a companion who can search for warning indicators and assist drive as wanted. (iStock)
A few of these indicators embrace having a tough time specializing in the highway, yawning, blinking regularly, having bother remembering the previous couple of miles pushed, having problem sustaining lanes, tailgating — or getting irritated with widespread visitors occurrences.
If any of these conditions happen, it’s necessary to tug over to a secure place, stated Dzierzewski, and get some relaxation, stretch or drink a caffeinated beverage.
“Solely return to the highway if you end up certain it’s secure to drive,” he stated.
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It’s additionally important to get the really useful quantity of sleep the night time earlier than your journey, stated Dzierzewski.
NSF recommends seven to 9 hours of sleep per night time for adults and eight to 10 hours for teenagers.
“Whereas [drinking] caffeine, rolling down the home windows and taking part in loud music would possibly enable you to get safely to your vacation spot, they aren’t an alternative choice to sleep.”
“Plan lengthy journeys with a companion who cannot solely search for early warning indicators of fatigue, but additionally assist drive when wanted,” Dzierzewski prompt.
” driving companion is somebody who stays awake to speak to you and can concentrate on your alertness.”
Drowsy driving causes 1000’s of automobile crashes every year, killing an estimated 6,400 individuals within the U.S. every year, in accordance with the AAA Basis for Visitors Security. (iStock)
When on an extended journey, he advises scheduling common stops each 100 miles or two hours.
“Keep in mind, whereas [drinking] caffeine, rolling down the home windows and taking part in loud music would possibly enable you to get safely to your vacation spot, they aren’t an alternative choice to sleep.”
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Roughly 20% of all motorized vehicle crashes are associated to drowsy driving, in accordance with the AAA Basis for Visitors Security.
Amongst drowsy driving-related crashes, 20% of them concerned teenagers and younger adults aged 16 to 24.
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Drowsy driving causes 1000’s of automobile crashes every year, killing an estimated 6,400 individuals within the U.S. every year.
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