Younger drivers are a dangerously drowsy bunch, according to a new study from AAA.
One out of seven licensed drivers ages 16 to 24 reported dozing off at least once while driving in the past year, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety,
One out of 10 licensed drivers of all ages in the survey admitted they fell asleep behind the wheel in the last year.
This confirms previous AAA studies that found drivers 16 to 24 were more likely than drivers ages 40 to 59 to be drowsy at the time of a crash.
“Research shows that fatigue impairs safe driving, with many symptoms causing drivers to behave in ways similar to those who are intoxicated,” AAA President Robert Darbelnet said in a statement last week.
Signs of drowsy driving include:
Trouble remembering the last miles driven or missing exits and traffic signs
Difficulty keeping your eyes open and focused
Yawning frequently or rubbing your eyes repeatedly
Drifting from your lane or off the road
Daydreaming or having wandering, disconnected thoughts.
The National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is from Nov. 12 to 18. For more information, see www.drowsydriving.org.
Why do you think younger drivers tend to be fatigued when they get behind the wheel? Do you agree with the study findings? Leave your thoughts below.
(Journal News/LoHud.com file photo)
1 Comment
This is of interest to me because I actually like to drive around to get sleepy. I’ve long suffered from night-terrors and insomnia, and I’ve found that a very specific and balanced routine is the best method to ensure I enter the Sandman (metaphor for sleep, I’m not physically entering a man).
Step 1: 2-8 shots of Jameson (no Protestant whiskey for me!)
Step 2: A large meal, usually of a substantial animal, like a turkey/ham/bacon/ostrich
Step 3: 2-8 sleeping pills, mixed variety. I prefer the prescription stuff but doctors are starting to get suspicious so I sometimes have to use over the counter stuff. Hopefully my son will become a better liar so he can start helping me get over on these silly doctors and faith healers
Step 4: Drive car, heat blasting, with smooth jazz on the radio
Step 5: Either drive home if I can, or I’ll just pull over on the side of the Bruckner and snooze away blissingly.