Sleep Disorders Center of Virginia

Young Drivers & Drowsy Driving
Tweet According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the U.S. Alcohol can be a factor in crashes involving young people, but sleepiness can be just as dangerous and possibly more common. With sleep deprivation reaching epidemic proportions among American teenagers and young adults, drowsiness can have a major impact on young drivers’ safety behind the wheel. Consider the facts: Sleepiness is hazardous for young drivers. · Studies show more than half of all fall-asleep crashes involve drivers aged 25 years or younger. Most young drivers are tired. · Biology, academic pressure, extracurricular activities, and early school start times conspire to keep young people from getting enough sleep. · Only 1 in 5 adolescents get the recommended 9 hours of sleep on school nights; 45% sleep less than 8 hours on school nights – not enough for a teen’s brain development. Most young drivers drive drowsy. · According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2006 Sleep in American poll, more than half of teens drove drowsy in the past year. In fact, 15% of drivers in 10^th to 12^th grades stated they drove drowsy at least once a week. These are accidents waiting to happen.

Intuit Health

About Our Practice