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The effect that lack of sleep has on your safe driving ability is the same as:Answers The effect that alcohol has. The effect that amphetamines have. The effect that anger has. The effect that driving with teenagers has. Explanation Fatigue and being under the influence of alcohol have similar effects on your ability to drive safely. For example, being awake for 18 hours impairs your driving about as much as a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent. Being awake for 24 hours in a row has the same effect on your driving as a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent.Drive alert and stay unhurt.Learn the risks of drowsy driving and how to protect yourself. Drowsy driving is a major problem in the United States. The risk, danger, and sometimes tragic results of drowsy driving are alarming. Drowsy driving is the dangerous combination of driving and sleepiness or fatigue. This usually happens when a driver has not slept enough, but it can also happen due to untreated sleep disorders, medications, drinking alcohol, and shift work. What is Drowsy Driving?Operating a motor vehicle while fatigued or sleepy is commonly referred to as “drowsy driving.” The Impact of Drowsy DrivingDrowsy driving poses a serious risk not only for one’s own health and safety, but also for the other people on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates1 that between 2005 and 2009 drowsy driving was responsible for an annual average of:
These estimates are conservative, though, and up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers.2-4 How Often Do Americans Fall Asleep While Driving?
How Does Sleepiness Affect Driving?Falling asleep at the wheel is very dangerous, but being sleepy affects your ability to drive safely even if you don’t fall asleep. Drowsiness—
Top of Page The Warning Signs of Drowsy DrivingIf you experience any of the warning signs of drowsy driving while driving,
For more warning signs visit the American Academy of Sleep MedicineExternal. Who Is More Likely to Drive Drowsy?
How to Prevent Drowsy DrivingThere are four things you should do before taking the wheel to prevent driving while drowsy.
Drowsy Driving Is Similar to Drunk DrivingYour body needs adequate sleep on a daily basis. The more hours of sleep you miss, the harder it is for you to think and perform as well as you would like. Lack of sleep can make you less alert and affect your coordination, judgement, and reaction time while driving. This is known as cognitive impairment. Studies have shown that going too long without sleep can impair your ability to drive the same way as drinking too much alcohol.
Additionally, drowsiness increases the effect of even low amounts of alcohol.14-15 Top of Page
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