It’s estimated that 7% of all car crashes and 16% of the fatal crashes in the US are related to driver drowsiness.
One-third of adults typically sleep less than 7 hours a night. In general, adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep nightly.
If you get less than 4 hours, you’re 15 times more likely to cause a crash than someone who slept for 7 hours.
If you sleep for less than 4 hours, you’re very much like a drunk driver with a blood-alcohol level 1 + 1/2 times the legal limit.
Being awake is not the same as being alert.
Falling asleep at the wheel isn’t the only problem. Mistakes, not noticing and misjudging can have tragic consequences.
Don’t drive drowsy and don’t drive drunk. Get some sleep; arrive alive. And, while you’re at it, don’t smoke pot and drive, either.
Claudia
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