Drowsy Driving is a Traffic Safety Nightmare
A new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Research study shows drowsy driving is a bigger traffic safety nightmare than previously thought. In fact, research footage of everyday drivers has found the percentage of drowsy driving crashes is nearly eight times higher than federal estimates.
The new research – perhaps the most in-depth to be conducted in the US — provides an analysis of in-vehicle dash cam video of more than 700 crashes. The videos confirm drowsy driving dangers soar above official estimates; they also allow researchers to better assess if a driver was fatigued in the moments leading up to the crash. Federal estimates indicate drowsiness is a factor in only 1% to 2% of crashes.
“Drowsy driving is a bigger traffic safety issue than what federal estimates show,” says Ed Welsh, AAA Northeast’s Regional General Manager. “Drivers who don’t get enough sleep put everyone on the road at risk.”
Drowsy driving is one of the most under-reported traffic safety issues because it has been difficult to detect if a driver experienced drowsiness before an actual crash. “By conducting an in-depth analysis using video of everyday drivers, we can now better assess if a driver was fatigued in the moments leading up to a crash,” says Welsh.
The research’s footage focuses on driver faces three minutes leading up to the actual crash. By using a scientific measure that links the percentage of time a person’s eyes are closed to their level of drowsiness, AAA researchers were able to determine that 9.5% of all crashes involved drowsiness. More than 10% of the crashes resulted in significant property damage.
The statistics are grim. In New York State, in 2016, there were 4600 crashes reported to involve drowsy driving. That’s equivalent to 1.5% of all crashes in New York.
Locally, in 2016, there were 124 reported drowsy driving accidents resulting in one death and 56 injuries in Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego and Delaware counties.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 35% of U.S. drivers sleep less than the recommended seven hour daily minimum. For many Americans who struggle to balance busy schedules, missing a few hours of sleep may seem harmless, adds Welsh. “But by missing just two to three hours of sleep, you can more than quadruple your risk for a crash, which is the equivalent of drunk driving.”
Know the warning signs of drowsiness to avoid dozing behind the wheel:
- Having trouble keeping your eyes open;
- Drifting from your lane; and
- Not remembering the last few miles driven.
To minimize your risk for drowsy driving, travel at times you’re normally awake; and avoid medications and heavy foods that could cause drowsiness.
For longer trips, drivers should:
- Schedule a driving break every two hours or every 100 miles;
- Travel with a partner who can switch places with you;
- Not underestimate the power of a 20-minute nap at a rest stop to keep alert on the road.
To help drivers determine if their medications may cause drowsiness, AAA has developed RoadwiseRx, (www.roadwiserx.com) a free, confidential online tool that generates personalized feedback about how interactions among prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and herbal supplements can affect safety behind the wheel.