When drivers hit the road, they need to do so in peak condition. Anything less increases the chance of a crash.
Drowsy drivers need to understand that their drowsiness could put not only themselves but everyone around them in danger.
What is drowsy driving?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discuss the true impact of drowsy driving. But first: what is it?
Drowsy driving happens when a driver hits the road without getting an adequate amount of sleep beforehand. The level of exhaustion can vary from person to person, but even the smallest amount may have a negative impact on driver safety.
Why is it dangerous?
The primary danger of drowsy driving is its impact on driver awareness. Drowsy drivers have more trouble concentrating, slower reaction times and a harder time processing potential dangers.
On top of that, drivers may experience microsleeping. This involves a driver losing consciousness for a period of 1 to 3 seconds, resulting in them losing control of the vehicle. Many of the most dangerous and deadly crashes involve drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
Do wakefulness tricks work?
Some people falsely believe that they can combat the dangers of drowsy driving simply by engaging in wakefulness tricks such as blasting the air conditioning or listening to loud music.
This creates a false sense of security, however, which may actually increase the level of danger. Unfortunately, no wakefulness trick actually works in the long term. The only true cure for drowsiness is for a driver to get adequate sleep.