Teens and Drowsy Driving

A public health threat with economic costs in the billions, drowsy driving is related to at least 100,000 motor-vehicle accidents and more than 1,500 deaths per year in the United States. The risk is especially high for teenagers, who often go to school sleep deprived.

The average teen only gets about seven hours of sleep per night, well short of the American Association of Sleep Medicine’s recommended 9.2 hours. Factoring in the inexperience teens have behind the wheel the results can be a deadly.

Why Are Teens Likely to Drive Drowsy?

•          Teens need a little more than 9 hours of nightly sleep

•          Only about 15 percent sleep for 8.5 hours on school nights

•          About 26 percent sleep only 6.5 hours on school nights

•          Teens accumulate a large sleep deb.

•          This ongoing sleep loss has a severe effect

How Sleep Deprived Are You?

•          What is your typical weekday bedtime & wake time?

•          How many hours of sleep does this schedule allow?

•          Subtract this average from nine

•          Multiply by five

Why Are Teens So Sleep Deprived?

•          A biological change causes a “delayed sleep phase.”

•          Early school start times limit your sleep opportunity

•          Multiple obligations compete for your time

•          Lifestyle choices and technological distractions hinder sleep

•          Irregular sleep schedules cause restlessness

What Are the Effects of Sleep Deprivation?

•          Mental distress

•          Lack of focus

•          Increased errors

•          Slowed thinking

•          Delayed response times

•          “Microsleeps”

•          Lack of awareness

•          Being awake for 18 hours = being at 60% of the legal limit for drinking

•          Being awake for 24 hours = being 25% OVER the legal limit for drinking

•          Drinking one beer with four hours of sleep is equivalent to drinking a 6-pack with 8 hours of sleep

How Drowsy Are You?

•          Do you ever struggle to stay awake during class?

•          Do you struggle to stay awake while reading a book?

•          Do you feel sleepy when you do your homework?

•          Do you ever fall asleep while watching TV?

•          Do you feel drowsy when you ride in a car?

•          Have you ever nodded off or fallen asleep while driving?

Can Legislation Deter Drowsy Driving?

Jet’s Law

Driving and the Law

Avoiding Drowsy Driving:  Improving Your Sleep

1.    You keep yawning
2.    You are unable to keep your eyes open
3.    You catch yourself “nodding off” and have trouble keeping your head up
4.    You can’t remember driving the last few miles
5.    You end up too close to cars in front of you
6.    You miss road signs or drive past your turn
7.    You drift into the other lane of traffic
8.    You drift onto the “rumble strip” or onto the shoulder of the road

Avoiding Drowsy Driving: Making the Right Choices

1.    Arrange for someone else to give you a ride
2.    Get a full night of sleep before driving
3.    Avoid driving late at night
4.    Avoid medications that cause sleepiness
5.    Avoid driving alone
6.    On a long trip, share the driving with another passenger
7.    Use caffeine for a short-term boost
8.    Pull over at a rest stop and take a nap

Be Alert About Drowsy Driving to Be Safe Behind the Wheel

•    Drowsy driving can be deadly
•    Drowsy driving is common among sleep-deprived teens
•    Sleep deprivation impairs driving performance
•    Getting enough sleep is the best method of prevention
•    You should recognize the warning signs for drowsy driving
•    You must make the right choices to avoid drowsy driving