Experts urge stronger measures against risks posed by drowsy driving

Drowsy driving poses a significant risk on the road, comparable to other forms of impaired driving such as those caused by alcohol, drugs, or distractions like cellphones. According to Rebecca Weast, Senior Research Scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the issue receives less attention than it warrants.

Research cited by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health indicates that being awake for 17 hours can impair a driver to a level similar to having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%. Staying awake for 24 hours raises impairment above the legal limit in most states, equating to a BAC of 0.10%. Drowsy drivers have slower reaction times, reduced vigilance, poorer hand-eye coordination, and struggle with memory tasks.

Official crash statistics suggest that only 1%-2% of police-reported crashes involve drowsiness. However, this figure likely underestimates the problem because signs of drowsiness are fleeting and cannot be tested after a crash like alcohol can. Naturalistic studies using in-vehicle cameras estimate that up to 9%-10% of crashes may have drowsiness as a contributing factor.

Many Americans do not get enough sleep; surveys show that about one-third of adults report sleeping less than seven hours per night. This is below the amount recommended by experts for most adults, while some groups like teenagers require even more rest.

Addressing drowsy driving requires multiple strategies. Infrastructure improvements such as rumble strips along medians and edges of roads, as well as more highway rest stops, have been shown to reduce related crashes. Roads with ample rest areas see fewer incidents compared to those without such facilities.

Awareness campaigns about fatigue could encourage more use of existing rest areas. Methods like playing loud music or opening windows are largely ineffective against drowsiness; taking short naps has proven benefits.

Advances in vehicle technology also offer potential solutions. Driver assistance features like lane departure warnings act as alerts when drivers veer out of their lanes. Some automakers now include systems that monitor driver alertness through lane tracking or cameras facing the driver’s face. For example, Subaru’s DriverFocus system uses facial recognition technology to detect signs of drowsiness or distraction; IIHS research found high rates of user satisfaction and perceived safety benefits among owners.

However, experts caution that these technologies are not substitutes for being fully alert behind the wheel. Partial automation systems should not be relied upon by tired drivers; recent messaging from Tesla suggesting activation of its “Full Self-Driving” feature when drivers appear drowsy has raised concerns among safety professionals due to conflicting guidance requiring constant driver attention.

Weast concludes: “I do my best to be aware of my own fatigue, use available technology for support, and take advantage of available rest areas when needed. Transportation planners and vehicle manufacturers should prioritize proven solutions to help all drivers stay awake.”