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How does drowsiness impact drivers?

Drowsy driving occurs when you get into a car and drive when you are too tired to operate the vehicle safely. Drowsy driving is responsible for many car accident injuries and deaths every year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a survey, 1 out of 25 adults over the age of 18 reported that within the past 30 days, they had fallen asleep while driving. Drowsy driving slows your reaction times, affects your ability to make decisions and makes you less attentive while behind the wheel.

How drowsy driving compares to drunk driving

Drowsy driving also has similar effects to drunk driving. When you drive without sleeping for at least 18 hours, this is comparable to driving with a blood alcohol content level of 0.05%. And when you drive after staying awake for more than 24 hours, this is similar to operating a vehicle with a BAC level of 0.10%.

Preventing drowsy driving

To prevent drowsy driving, get enough sleep. Most adults need approximately 7 hours of sleep every day to feel alert and awake. You should also maintain a sleep schedule and if you have a sleep disorder, consult with your physician about what you can do to manage the symptoms.

Many drivers underestimate the danger of driving when they are drowsy and have not gotten enough sleep. If you get involved in a car accident with a drowsy driver, you could sustain serious injuries that make it difficult to return to work and other normal activities.

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