Falling asleep at the wheel is every driver's nightmare and it happens more than you think.
One-third of drivers surveyed say they have fallen asleep while driving in the past year, according to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
A drowsy driver is implicated in one out of every six deadly crashes and one in eight crashes involving hospitalization, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
The AAA study also found that drivers ages 16-24 were nearly twice as likely to be in a drowsy driving crash as older drivers.
The study also found that, of those drivers who reported falling asleep while driving in the past year:
– 55 percent said it was on a high-speed divided highway.
– 59 percent had been driving for less than an hour.
– 26 percent said the incident occurred between noon and 5 p.m.
The solution, of course, is not to drive if drowsy. Take a nap before driving or, if you become drowsy while driving, stop to sleep for about 20 minutes. Be sure you are fully awake before you resume. Coffee or a caffeinated drink can help you stay awake.
If possible, avoid driving at times you would normally be asleep.
If you go on a driving trip, take a friend. The AAA study found that vehicles with a passenger were 50 percent less likely to be involved in a drowsy-driving related crash.
