Sleep Deprivation and Driving: When Tired Equals Drunk

Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as doing so while under the influence of alcohol. In fact, driving while drowsy can cause as much impairment as having a blood alcohol level of .08%, which is the legal limit for drunk driving in many states. Let’s take a look at some other ways that driving tired is similar to doing so while impaired. 

You’ll Struggle to Process Information

Sleep deprivation and alcohol both impair your ability to process information. For example, you may have trouble remembering what street you’re driving on or what lane you’re supposed to be in. You may also fail to recognize signs that you need to slow down or stop such as a light turning red or other vehicles around yours changing lanes to avoid an object in the road. 

You May Lose Control of Your Mind and Body

Depending on your level of sleep deprivation, you may begin to see or hear things that don’t exist. Therefore, you may swerve to avoid something that isn’t in the road or get angry because you think someone just honked at you. As with alcohol impairment, a lack of sleep may also have a negative influence on your nervous system. Ultimately, you may have trouble keeping your hands on the steering wheel or your foot on the gas or brake pedals. 

You Might Fall Asleep

You may be familiar with the concept of passing out after consuming too much alcohol. This is your brain and body’s attempt at ensuring that you can’t consume any more of the toxic liquid. However, you may not know that your brain can override your efforts to stay awake if you’ve done so for too long. In some cases, you’ll experience microsleep, which can last for up to 10 seconds at a time. 

While this may not seem like a long time, a car can travel the length of a football field in about five seconds. Therefore, you are at a significant risk of an accident if you can’t focus on the road for that long. It’s also possible that you’ll fall into a deep sleep while stopped at a traffic light or similar location, which could cause you to lose control of your vehicle altogether if it isn’t in park.

Driving while tired is incredibly dangerous and can increase your risk of a crash or other negative outcome. The NHTSA attributed 633 deaths to drowsy driving in 2023. Ideally, you’ll sleep for at least an hour before driving if you haven’t slept much over the past day or so. You should also consider stopping at a rest area or other convenient location to nap if you can’t get home right away. 

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