Report: Drowsy Driving Quadruples Crash Risk

Study shows drowsy driving crashes are eight times higher than federal estimates

02/08/18
Automotive

DENVER (Feb. 8, 2018) – Drowsy driving is eight times more dangerous than previous federal estimates, per a new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the most in-depth drowsy driving research ever conducted in the United States using footage of every day drivers.

The difficulty in detecting drowsiness following a crash makes drowsy driving one of the most underreported issues in traffic safety. Through an unprecedented analysis of in-vehicle dashcam video from more than 700 crashes, this research confirms that the danger of drowsy driving soars above official estimates. 

"If you think missing a few hours of sleep is no big deal and couldn't possibly affect your ability to drive safely, think again," said AAA Colorado spokesman Skyler McKinley. "The bottom line is that just two to three hours of sleep loss can more than quadruple your risk for a crash. That's the same as driving drunk."

In the study, researchers examined video of drivers' faces in the three minutes leading up to a crash. Using a scientific measure linking the percentage of time a person's eyes are closed to their level of drowsiness, the researchers determined that 9.5 percent of all crashes and 10.8 percent of crashes resulting in significant property damage involved drowsiness. Federal estimates indicate drowsiness is a factor in only one to two percent of crashes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 35 percent of U.S. drivers sleep less than the recommended minimum of seven hours daily. In a recent related AAA Foundation survey, nearly all drivers (96 percent) say they view drowsy driving as a serious threat to their safety and a completely unacceptable behavior. However, 29 percent admitted to driving when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open at some point in the past month.

Knowing the warning signs of drowsiness can help drivers avoid dozing off behind the wheel. The most common symptoms include:

  • Having trouble keeping your eyes open
  • Drifting from your lane
  • Not remembering the last few miles driven

 

Still, drivers should not rely on their bodies to provide warning signs for drowsiness and should instead prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep before hitting the road.

"Don't be fooled, the only antidote for drowsiness is sleep," said William Van Tassel, manager of Driver Training for AAA. "Short term tactics like drinking coffee, singing, rolling down the window will not work. Your body's need for sleep will eventually override your brain's attempts to stay awake."

AAA recommends that drivers:

  • Travel at times of the day when they are normally awake
  • Avoid heavy foods
  • Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment

 

For longer trips, drivers should:

  • Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles
  • Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving
  • Do not underestimate the power of a quick nap. Pulling into a rest stop and taking a quick catnap -- at least 20 minutes and no more than 30 minutes of sleep -- can help to keep you alert on the road.

 

To help drivers determine if their medications may cause drowsiness, AAA Colorado and the AAA Foundation developed Roadwise Rx, a free and confidential online tool that generates personalized feedback about how the interactions between prescription, over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can affect safety behind the wheel.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's report, Prevalence of Drowsy Driving Crashes: Estimates from a Large-Scale Naturalistic Driving Study, is based on the analysis of in-vehicle video footage of crashes that occurred during the Second Strategic Highway Research Program's Naturalistic Driving Study (SHRP 2 NDS).

The federally funded study recruited 3,593 drivers from six study sites across the U.S. The drivers were monitored continually using in-vehicle video and other data collection equipment while driving their personal vehicles for a period of several months.  

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About AAA Colorado

More than 660,000 members strong, AAA Colorado is the state's most prominent advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 58 million members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services - as well as member-exclusive savings. For more information, visit Colorado.AAA.com.

 

About the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Established in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a not-for-profit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation's mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by conducting research into their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research is used to develop educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users. Visit www.AAAFoundation.org.