Despite the obvious safety risk, almost a third of drivers admit to driving when they were so tired they had difficulty keeping their eyes open, according to a recent traffic safety survey.
Released in November by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the survey found 32 percent of drivers had driven drowsy in the previous month. The finding was particularly troubling in light of a 2010 foundation study that found one of every six deadly crashes and one of eight crashes with serious injury involved a drowsy driver.
“Although the vast majority of drivers recognize the serious threat of drowsy driving, a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude exists when getting behind the wheel,” said Peter Kissinger, foundation president and CEO. “Drowsy driving kills, just as sure as drunk, drugged and distracted driving does. Drivers have a tendency to underestimate the impact being tired has on their driving ability, which puts themselves and others at risk.”
The full article is published online in the January 2012 issue of The Nation’s Health.
