Drunk Driving vs. Drowsy Driving: Which is Worse?

February 9, 2018

We’ve all done it at one time or another, and chances are, most of the people you know have as well. What I’m talking about is driving while drowsy. While we’ve all heard a lot about the dangers of driving while drunk, one of the most fatal driving conditions actually involves sleep deprivation. For the kinds of patients I treat every day—those with sleep apnea—driving while drowsy is just a normal part of their life. Today, I want to reveal just how dangerous this really is as well as what you can do to avoid it and keep yourself safe.

How Sleep Deprivation Affects Driving

As a whole, Americans are tired. With longer work hours, less time off, and an ever growing obesity problem (which is one of the prime causes of sleep apnea), people are consistently trying to do more with less sleep every day, and that includes driving. According to research by the National Sleep Foundation, about 60% of adults in the U.S. have driven while drowsy, and about 37% have admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel.

Just how dangerous is driving while drowsy? Well, after being awake for 18 hours straight, you are likely to drive like you have a blood alcohol level of .05 (with .08 being considered legally drunk). If you’ve been awake for a full 24 hours, like if you weren’t able to fall asleep one night, then you’ll drive like you have a blood alcohol level of .10.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that driver fatigue leads to about 100,000 police-reported crashes each year, which translates into about 71,000 injuries and even 1,550 deaths. In short, if you or a loved one frequently drive while tired, it’s just a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

Tips to Avoid Drowsy Driving

  • The average healthy adult needs about 7-9 hours of sleep a night in order to stay awake and alert during the day, so do your best to always get this much.
  • Limit your consumption of alcohol before driving. Even a small amount of alcohol can drastically increase sleepiness.
  • If you’re already on the road and feel tired, try to pull over in a safe area and take a brief nap.
  • If this isn’t possible, you can also try drinking a caffeinated beverage.

Sleep Apnea and Drowsy Driving

If you find yourself feeling tired on the road despite getting enough sleep every night, it could be because of an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. When you have sleep apnea, even a full night’s rest won’t keep you from feeling fatigued. If daytime exhaustion, memory problems, and trouble focusing are all commonplace for you, you should definitely get tested. You can start the process right now by taking our short sleep test. It takes less than a minute to fill out, and after you’ve submitted it, I and my team will evaluate your answers and contact you within 24 hours to let you know what you should do next.

Don’t let drowsy driving hurt you or someone you care about. Do your best to stay well rested on the road, and if you need help, we’re more than ready to provide it. Sleep apnea is very treatable, and managing it is one of the best things you can do for your own health as well as everyone else’s on the road.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a certified sleep dentist with over 30 years of experience here in Melbourne. At his practice, he provides both sleep testing and sleep apnea treatment so that everyone can drive safely and enjoy long, healthy lives. If you believe that you or a loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea, he is ready to help. For more information, contact him today.