Blog #8: Sleep Deprivation on the Wheel

Don't Drive Tired Please by Beth

Texting while driving is a hazard rising and with cellphone communication greatly improving with data services for other messenger apps to distract you on the wheel. And drunk driving is continually being a danger for both the driver and those who are near them. But what about driving while feeling sleepy? Won't that be just the same hazard too?

In an article by Namni Goel, Ph.D., and David F. Dinges, Ph.D. entitled "Losing Sleep: the Causes and Effects of Sleep Deprivation" one section shows the effects of sleep deprivation while driving. They say that driving is a prime example on how being sleep deprived can affect real-world functioning. They even state a study that shows sleep-related crashes rose in drivers who are reported to have an average of less than 7 hours of sleep.

They even state that "Sleep deprivation affects physical coordination and reaction time in a way that is very similar to excessive alcohol consumption. Sleepiness-related motor vehicle crashes are on par with alcohol-related crashes in terms of their fatality rate and likelihood of injury." in short, being sleep deprived while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.

Driving requires the driver's full attention on the road and his surroundings. Being impaired of their attention could result in dangerous crashes for the driver, their passengers and those around them. It has also been stated that "Fatigue is considered to be a factor in 20-40% of heavy truck crashes." But a study states that teenagers are more likely to fall asleep than those who are older.

In the articles "Sleep-Deprived Teen Drivers More Likely to Crash" by Rachael Rettner and "Sleep-deprived teens cause crashes, study shows" by Maggie Fox, both of them cited a study where teenagers aged 17 to 24 are more likely st sleep on the wheel and fall asleep usually between 8 P.M. and 6 A.M. It has also been estimated that 20% of all car crashes in the united States is due to drowsy driving.

It has also been stated by Fox that “Risky driving, sensation seeking, self harm ... and greater drug and alcohol intake were reported more often by individuals who obtained less sleep.”

The intake of drugs and alcohol could be a cause of why the driver is sleep deprived. And the signs that the person has taken in alcohol could brush the driver's crash as drunk driving rather than being sleep deprived. Of course, alcohol would probably be the greater value in this equation for disaster. 

Needless to say, being sleep deprived is dangerous, and being sleep deprived while driving is also dangerous and to those around people who are sleep deprived. Turning on the radio can help with staying awake but only for a sort term.