Drowsy Driving and Risk Behaviors

English: An advisory sign on Interstate 15 in Utah near Mt. Nebo. It reminds drowsy drivers to get off the freeway. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CDC analyzed data regarding drowsy driving by selected characteristics, including sleep patterns and risk behaviors, from 92,102 adult survey respondents in 10 states and Puerto Rico in 2011–2012. Among the respondents, 4% reported having fallen asleep while driving in the previous 30 days. In addition to known risk factors, drowsy driving was more prevalent among men, younger drivers, binge drinkers, and among drivers who did not regularly use seatbelts compared with other respondents.

As many as 7,500 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States each year might involve drowsy driving, and 4.2% of adult respondents to a 2009–2010 survey reported falling asleep while driving at least once during the previous 30 days. Adults who reported usually sleeping ≤6 hours per day, snoring, or unintentionally falling asleep during the day were more likely to report falling asleep while driving than adults who did not.

Click here to read the complete study.

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