Many teenagers say they’ve pushed whereas they really feel drowsy — and so they imagine that it’s not as harmful as driving whereas drunk or distracted.
That’s simply one of many findings revealed within the 2023 Drowsy Driving Survey from the Nationwide Sleep Basis (NSF) in Washington, D.C., which explored 1,124 American teenagers’ attitudes and behaviors about drowsy driving.
One in six teenagers reported having pushed whereas drowsy throughout their first two years behind the wheel, the survey discovered.
TEENS AND SOCIAL MEDIA: AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION ISSUES GUIDANCE FOR SAFE USE AND ‘INSTRUCTION’
A overwhelming majority (95%) of teenagers acknowledged that drowsy driving is harmful — however they do not suppose it is as harmful as drunk driving, drugged driving or distracted driving.
“It is very important notice that drowsy driving is impaired driving, unequivocally — identical to drunk, drugged and distracted driving,” stated Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, vp of analysis and scientific affairs for the NSF, in a press release to Fox Information Digital.
A stunning variety of teenagers, based on a brand new survey, say they’ve pushed whereas feeling drowsy — and so they imagine it’s not as harmful as driving whereas drunk or distracted. (iStock)
So far as the explanations for drowsy driving, a majority of teenagers cited schoolwork and jobs as the most important causes for his or her sleep deprivation.
“Drowsy driving is impaired driving, unequivocally — identical to drunk, drugged and distracted driving.”
Teenagers who’ve jobs stated they had been twice as prone to have pushed whereas fatigued, to the purpose that they “had a tough time preserving their eyes open.”
Examine limitations
The survey did have one chief limitation, Dzierzewski famous — which is the potential underreporting of drowsy driving.
“Nevertheless, this may imply that the precise charges of drowsy driving are even increased than what we discovered, suggesting the issue could also be extra widespread than at the moment believed,” he added.
A majority of teenagers who had pushed drowsy cited schoolwork and jobs as the most important culprits for his or her sleep deprivation. (iStock)
“One thing we discovered stunning is that though motorized vehicle crashes are the second main reason behind demise amongst youngsters, most teenagers rated drunk, drugged and distracted driving as extra harmful,” Dzierzewski famous.
“Clearly, there is a chance for extra training.”
ONLINE DANGERS ARE RAMPANT FOR KIDS TODAY — WHY PARENTS MUST KEEP THEM CYBER SAFE
Drowsy driving is fully preventable, Dzierzewski stated, emphasizing the necessity to educate younger drivers concerning the significance of getting the mandatory quantity of sleep earlier than working a car.
In a corresponding survey of 1,349 adults, the NSF discovered that the adults had been much more prone to drive whereas drowsy — with six in 10 reporting having completed so.
Ideas for protected driving
Drowsy driving prevention is “everybody’s duty,” Dzierzewski emphasised.
“All the time be looking out for drowsy driving warning indicators when behind the wheel,” he suggested.
To stop drowsy driving, consultants suggest driving with a companion who can search for warning indicators and assist drive as wanted. (iStock)
A few of these indicators embrace having a tough time specializing in the highway, yawning, blinking ceaselessly, having bother remembering the previous few miles pushed, having issue sustaining lanes, tailgating — or getting irritated with widespread visitors occurrences.
If any of these conditions happen, it’s vital to tug over to a protected place, stated Dzierzewski, and get some relaxation, stretch or drink a caffeinated beverage.
“Solely return to the highway if you end up positive it’s protected to drive,” he stated.
LACK OF SLEEP IS COMPROMISING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF 78% OF ADULTS, SURVEY FINDS
It’s additionally important to get the advisable quantity of sleep the evening earlier than your journey, stated Dzierzewski.
NSF recommends seven to 9 hours of sleep per evening for adults and eight to 10 hours for teenagers.
“Whereas [drinking] caffeine, rolling down the home windows and taking part in loud music may show you how to get safely to your vacation spot, they aren’t an alternative choice to sleep.”
“Plan lengthy journeys with a companion who cannot solely search for early warning indicators of fatigue, but in addition assist drive when wanted,” Dzierzewski prompt.
“A great driving companion is somebody who stays awake to speak to you and can concentrate on your alertness.”
Drowsy driving causes hundreds of automotive crashes every year, killing an estimated 6,400 folks within the U.S. every year, based on the AAA Basis for Visitors Security. (iStock)
When on a protracted journey, he advises scheduling common stops each 100 miles or two hours.
“Keep in mind, whereas [drinking] caffeine, rolling down the home windows and taking part in loud music may show you how to get safely to your vacation spot, they aren’t an alternative choice to sleep.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Roughly 20% of all motorized vehicle crashes are associated to drowsy driving, based on the AAA Basis for Visitors Security.
Amongst drowsy driving-related crashes, 20% of them concerned teenagers and younger adults aged 16 to 24.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Drowsy driving causes hundreds of automotive crashes every year, killing an estimated 6,400 folks within the U.S. every year.
For extra Health articles, go to www.foxnews.com/well being.
Discussion about this post