Commentary - Asleep at the wheel

Did you get enough sleep last night?

Studies have found that 24 hours without sleep causes the same level of impairment as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1%-over the legal limit in all states. And it doesn't take a whole night of missed sleep to make you too tired to drive safely. In a survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 90% of responding police officers said they had pulled over a suspected drunk driver who turned out to be drowsy rather than drunk.

Some warning signs of drowsy driving:

  • The inability to recall the last few miles traveled.
  • Having disconnected or wandering thoughts.
  • Having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open.
  • Feeling as though your head is very heavy.

Sleep-related crashes are most common among those who habitually stay up late, sleep too little and drive at night. Because this behavior pattern is more common in younger people, drivers under 30 are more than four times more likely to have sleep-related crashes. Shift workers and those who work long hours are also at high risk.

Avoiding drowsy driving

First and most obviously, get a good night's sleep. The amount needed varies from person to person, but sleep experts recommend 7-9 hours per night. If you suffer frequent insomnia or daytime sleepiness, consult a doctor. Many people have undiagnosed sleep disorders that affect their lives in multiple ways.

Drive with a companion on long trips and schedule a stop every 100 miles or two hours, even if you don't feel tired.

You should never consume alcohol before driving, but it is especially important to realize that alcohol increases sleepiness. If you are already tired, even a small quantity of alcohol may increase your risk of crashing.

What about caffeine, cold air or turning up the music?

These common tricks don't necessarily help. You are likely to experience "microsleeps," in which you doze off for just a few seconds at a time. That's plenty of time to drive off the road or into oncoming traffic.

Instead, look for a safe place, park the car and take a nap for 15 to 20 minutes. (A nap longer than 20 minutes can make you groggy for at least 15 minutes after awakening.) If you still have several hours of driving before you reach your destination, it's best to find a motel, get a full night's sleep and resume your journey in the morning.

When you're sleepy enough that you're taking special measures to stay awake, you should have stopped driving already-you're a hazard to yourself and to everybody else on the road.