AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety: The Dangers Of Drunk Driving

It's no secret that driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous. Every year, thousands of people are killed, and even more are injured by people who've had too much too drink and get behind the wheel. A recent study by AAA reveals that drivers lacking sleep are as dangerous as drunk drivers. While many people pride themselves on being able to function on less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep per night, they're posing a significant danger to themselves and others when they are sleep deprived. One segment of the population, long-haul truck drivers, are considered at risk for this behavior, due to their extreme schedules and tight deadlines.

Startling Statistics

It's long been recommended that people get a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night. Even so, many people deny themselves this basic human need, and it can have devastating effects. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s report reveals some startling statistics that everyone should take note of. Those that regularly get between six and seven hours of sleep have 1.3 times the crash risk of those that sleep seven hours or more. The risk increases incrementally when drivers get less sleep; 1.9 times the risk with five to six hours of sleep, 4.3 times the risk with for to five hours of

They seem to understand that it is a threat to their, and other motorist's, safety. However, nearly a third of participants in the AAA study admit that they sometimes drive when they're sleep deprived. Truckers, who often drive late nights and early mornings are particularly susceptible to this phenomena. Natural sleep/wake rhythms are interrupted when drivers are forced to operate during these crucial hours of the day. What's more, reflexes and reaction times are diminished, just as they would be if you had consumed alcohol, meaning the driver is not as alert as a fully rested