More drivers falling asleep behind the wheel

 Posted on January 04, 2013 in Car Accidents

A new study has found a scary statistics: one in 24 adults in the U.S. admitted that they have fallen asleep while driving. Health officials believe that this number could actually be higher because many drivers may nod off for only a few seconds while driving and not know that they did.

According to the study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four percent of adults said they had fallen asleep or nodded off while driving at least once during the past month. The study was done in 19 states during 2009 and 2010.

The study found that drowsy driving or falling asleep while driving was more common among males, drivers between 25 and 34 and individuals who got less than six hours of sleep on an average night. The study also found that more drivers in Texas admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel.

Roughly three percent of fatal car accidents are attributed to drowsy driving, according to government reports. However, other studies have claimed that up to 33 percent of fatal accidents could be a result of drowsy or sleeping drivers.

Drowsy driving is very dangerous. Health officials recommend that sleeping for seven to nine hours most nights as well as treating any sleeping disorders should help reduce the risk of falling asleep or nodding off while driving.

The warning signs of drowsy driving can be easy for some to notice, yet difficult for other drivers. The signs of drowsy driving include feeling tired or sleepy, not remembering the last few minutes or drifting to one side of the road. If drivers feel they are too tired to safely drive, they should pull over and stop driving until they get some rest.

Source: Fox News, "CDC: 1 in 24 admit nodding off while driving," Jan. 3, 2013

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