Drowsy Driving can be Dangerous

MYTH: Better Drowsy than Drunk

Most people are aware of the dangers of driving drunk, but they may not take sleepiness seriously. That’s a mistake. Researchers have found that going 18 to 24 hours without sleep is similar to being legally drunk, when it comes to driver impairment. Like alcohol, sleepiness and fatigue lead to poor judgment and reaction time, not to mention the risk of dozing off.

FACT: Caffeine Provides a Mild Boost

Whether in the form of coffee, soft drinks, gum, caffeine can briefly increase alertness. Keep in mind that the effect takes about 30 minutes to kick in, so you may want to pull over and rest until you perk up. This temporary fix has its limits -- caffeine can’t overcome severe fatigue and may have little impact on regular coffee drinkers.

MYTH: Drowsy Driving Only Happens at Night

Most fatigue-related crashes occur between 4-6 a.m., but drowsy driving is not restricted to the wee hours. Another peak time is between 2-4 p.m. Rush hour can also be hazardous, with a quarter of commuters saying they drive drowsy at least a few days per month.

FACT: Drowsy Driving Can Be Lethal