Drunk and drowsy driving are among the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in the country. While the percentage of drunk drivers is higher than that of drowsy drivers, this doesn’t automatically mean that one is less dangerous than the other.
In fact, driving while you are sleepy or exhausted can be just as risky as driving while impaired with alcohol. Here’s why.
The effects of sleep deprivation are similar to alcohol impairment
According to the National Sleep Foundation, being awake for 17 to 19 hours is similar to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%.
After 20 hours, the impairment is comparable to having a BAC of 0.08%, which is the legal limit in most states, including Massachusetts. At 24 hours, the impairment is equivalent to a 0.1% BAC.
Alcohol impairment and fatigue share similar effects while driving, such as:
- Slowed reaction times: Lack of sleep makes the brain work harder to process information, which slows down reaction time. On the road, this means you may not be able to respond quickly to unexpected conditions, such as a car suddenly stopping in front of you.
- Reduced alertness: Low energy leads to difficulty concentrating and staying alert. Your brain is trying hard to compensate for the lack of sleep, which can increase the risk of mistakes and decrease awareness of your surroundings.
- Impaired hand-eye coordination: Sleep deprivation can impact the brain’s ability to process and respond to visual information. In turn, this can affect your fine motor skills and make it more difficult to adjust speed, turn safely and react quickly to sudden changes.
Of course, there is also an added risk of falling asleep at the wheel, which comes with an extremely high risk of severe injuries or even death.
How to combat drowsy driving
The solution to drowsy driving is simple: don’t drive at all. Similar to not driving drunk, you should also avoid driving when sleep-deprived or extremely tired. Keep in mind that even mild sleep deprivation can lead to dangerous impairments and, consequently, motor vehicle accidents.
Find other ways to travel when you experience:
- Heavy eyelids, dry eyes of frequent blinking
- Yawning
- Difficulty thinking or focusing
- Drooping head
- Irritability
- Fatigue
If you are already on the road, stop somewhere safe to take a quick nap. This is especially important if you start drifting in and out of lanes, go over speed bumps too fast or most dangerous of all—fall asleep for several seconds, also known as microsleeping.
Don’t underestimate the dangers of drowsy driving
Sleep deprivation or extreme fatigue causes approximately 6,400 road accident deaths each year. If you are experiencing any of the signs mentioned above, find other means to get where you need to be. Even if you have to leave your car somewhere, it’s better than putting yourself and others at risk.